NORTHERN IRELAND

Criminal Damages Compensation 1997

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many successful applications under the Criminal Damages (Compensation) (Northern Ireland) 1997 Order in each of the last five years were made by  (a) the Loyal Orange Order and  (b) the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Paul Goggins: The following table sets out the number of successful applications for  (a) the Loyal Orange Order and  (b) the Gaelic Athletic Association.
	
		
			   The Loyal Orange Order  The Gaelic Athletic Association 
			 2004-05 4 0 
			 2005-06 3 0 
			 2006-07 2 0 
			 2007-08 12 0 
			 2008-09 0 1 
			 2009-10 (to date) 0 0 
			 Total 21 1

Departmental Procurement

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of procurement contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies awarded to small businesses in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The following table shows what percentage of procurement contracts  (a) the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), including the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland but excluding its NDPBs and  (b) its agencies awarded to small businesses in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10 
			 NIO 28 26 30 13 
			 Forensic Science NI 2 0 13 0 
			 Youth Justice Agency 7 0 4 6 
			 Compensation Agency 2 0 0 0 
			 NI Prison Service 17 13 13 0 
		
	
	From 3 November 2008, the NIO contracted out its procurement services to the Central Procurement Directorate (CPD) in the Department of Finance and Personnel in Northern Ireland under a service level agreement (prior to this, the NIO ran its own procurement unit). These figures are for all contracts that are arranged through the CPD (or, prior to 3 November 2008, the NIO's procurement unit). Collating information on other procurement contracts could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Northern Ireland Independent Monitoring Board

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) employed and  (b) self-employed members of the public are participating in the work of the Independent Monitoring Board.

Paul Goggins: There are 13 employed and two self-employed members across the Independent Monitoring Board.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Circuses: Licensing

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress his Department has made in the development of a new licensing system for travelling circuses; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14 October 2009,  Official Report, column 907W.

English Heritage: Fees and Charges

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the  (a) minimum,  (b) average and  (c) maximum price of entry to an English Heritage property was in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 12 October 2009
	English Heritage has over 400 sites in its care of which around 112 charge admission. The remaining sites are free to visit.
	For the purposes of this answer, English Heritage has provided data for the 104 sites that were consistently in its care for the full period in question. The average price of entry to an English Heritage property, based on one full price adult ticket, in each of the following years was as follows:
	
		
			   £  
			   Minimum charge  Average charge  Maximum charge  Constant sample of sites 
			 1996-97 1.00 2.16 6.00 104 
			 1997-98 1.10 2.26 6.00 104 
			 1998-99 1.30 2.48 6.60 104 
			 1999-00 1.40 2.61 6.90 104 
			 2000-01 1.50 2.70 6.90 104 
			 2001-02 1.60 2.83 7.20 104 
			 2002-03 1.60 3.01 7.50 104 
			 2003-04 1.80 3.24 8.00 104 
			 2004-05 2.00 3.48 8.50 104 
			 2005-06 2.30 3.69 8.95 104 
			 2006-07 2.30 3.88 9.50 104 
			 2007-08 2.40 4.09 9.80 104 
			 2008-09 2.50 4.33 10.50 104 
			 2009-10 3.00 4.52 13.40 104

Football: World Cup

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the inclusion of Leeds as a venue in the Football Association's bid to host the 2018 World Cup; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Football Association are leading in the bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups and are following a selection process to make venues available for FIFA to select host cities and training venues.

Gambling Research, Education and Treatment Foundation

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on re-branding the Responsibility in Gambling Trust into The GREaT (Gambling Research, Education and Treatment) Foundation; and how much will be spent on setting up a new website for the organisation.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Gambling Research, Education and Treatment Foundation (GREaT) is a registered charity funded through voluntary donations. Therefore, it would be appropriate for the hon. Member to write to the chairman at The GREaT Foundation, 10 Brick Street, London, W1J 7HQ.

Gambling: Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many remote gambling licences have been issued by the Gambling Commission in each year since 2007; and how many such licensed remote gambling operators are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The UK Gambling Commission has provided the figures on remote licences issued in each of the last three calendar years.
	
		
			  Number 
			  Calendar year  Remote operating licences issued  Remote operating licences surrendered/revoked/lapsed  Ancillary remote licences( 1)  issued  Ancillary remote licences( 1)  surrendered/revoked/lapsed 
			 2007 189 2 366 4 
			 2008 96 29 56 38 
			 2009 86 34 52 47 
			 (1) An ancillary remote licence allows a non-remote licence holder to provide ancillary gambling facilities by means of remote communication in restricted circumstances. 
		
	
	As of October 2009, there are 306 operators holding a remote operating licence with the Commission and 385 operators holding a remote ancillary operating licence. These figures include 18 operators who hold both a remote operating licence and a remote ancillary operating licence.

Gambling: Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the gross gambling yield from remote gambling was in each of the last two years; and how many new player registrations for such gambling there were in each year since statistics have been collected.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Gambling Commission has published statistics on remote gambling conducted by its licensed operators since the changes under the Gambling Act 2005 came fully into effect on 1 September 2007.
	Estimated figures are available for the second half of 2007-08 and for the full 2008-09 financial year as set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Time period  Estimated gross gambling yield (£ million)  Estimated new player registrations (million) 
			 1 September 2007 to 31 March 2008 614.5 1.6 
			 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009 896 4.9 
		
	
	These figures do not include amounts gambled on sites located overseas by British residents but do include amounts gambled on sites located in Britain by overseas residents.

Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department has contributed to the impact assessment on the abolition of the furnished holidays letting rules being carried out by HM Treasury.

Margaret Hodge: My hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Barbara Follett) raised this issue with Treasury Ministers and wrote to them setting out the industries concerns about these changes in detail.
	My officials and I remain in discussion with Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about the impact of these rule changes on the tourism industry. HMRC will be publishing their assessment of this together with draft legislation at the same time that the pre-Budget report is issued.

National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent estimate he has made of the administration costs of each of the National Lottery distributors.

Si�n Simon: My Department encourages the national lottery distributors to keep their administration costs as low as possible and to share best practice, and their latest accounts indicate that most have reduced their operating costs in cash terms. However, as administration costs vary considerably depending on the type and size of grant given and the amounts that applicants receive, the costs listed by the distributors in their annual reports are not readily comparable between distributors.

National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the income of the National Lottery good causes has been in  (a) actual and  (b) real terms in each year since the National Lottery began.

Si�n Simon: The information requested is provided in the following tables:
	
		
			  (a) Actual (cash) terms 
			  £000 
			   Arts  Sports  Heritage  Big Lottery Fund and predecessors  Olympics 
			 1994-95 58,693 58,688 58,691 117,396 - 
			 1995-96 306,475 306,580 305,869 614,372 - 
			 1996-97 314,924 316,730 316,623 637,746 - 
			 1997-98 353,541 363,280 365,747 867,390 - 
			 1998-99 281,714 302,742 310,209 1,021,756 - 
			 1999-2000 264,733 276,000 291,820 902,980 - 
			 2000-01 277,321 294,821 316,085 874,309 - 
			 2001-02 295,442 301,776 320,324 900,322 - 
			 2002-03 255,701 258,090 290,925 784,402 - 
			 2003-04 229,020 227,294 246,318 687,757 - 
			 2004-05 241,062 239,616 266,275 723,458 - 
			 2005-06 245,059 244,000 270,119 732,537 16,525 
			 2006-07 212,604 213,132 234,040 630,507 115,759 
			 2007-08 217,040 217,040 217,043 651,124 151,229 
			 2008-09(1) 207,783 210,256 207,785 612,961 211,063 
			 (1) Provisional outturn, net of Olympic transfers totalling £73 million between National Lottery Distribution Fund and Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Real terms using GDP deflator 
			  £000 
			   Arts  Sports  Heritage  Big Lottery Fund and predecessors  Olympics 
			 1994-95 83,586.83 83,579.71 83,583.98 167,187.90 - 
			 1995-96 424,274.94 424,420.29 423,436.01 850,518.45 - 
			 1996-97 420,296.55 422,706.83 422,564.03 851,133.74 - 
			 1997-98 459,806.99 472,473.31 475,681.83 1,128,106.75 - 
			 1998-99 358,830.20 385,614.39 395,125.40 1,301,450.79 - 
			 1999-2000 330,693.03 344,767.28 364,528.94 1,127,963.62 - 
			 2000-01 341,924.15 363,500.85 389,718.39 1,077,983.13 - 
			 2001-02 356,306.23 363,945.10 386,314.19 1,085,798.02 - 
			 2002-03 298,744.04 301,535.19 339,897.42 916,443.13 - 
			 2003-04 260,235.21 258,273.96 279,890.92 781,497.64 - 
			 2004-05 266,511.15 264,912.49 294,385.91 799,834.16 - 
			 2005-06 265,966.64 264,817.29 293,164.68 795,034.68 17,934.86 
			 2006-07 224,112.16 224,668.74 246,708.48 664,636.06 122,024.98 
			 2007-08 222,363.38 222,363.38 222,366.45 667,094.24 154,938.22 
			 2008-09(1) 207,783.00 210,256.00 207,785.00 612,961.00 211,063.00 
			 (1) Provisional outturn, net of Olympic transfers totalling £73 million between National Lottery Distribution Fund and Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund

National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the National Lottery has generated in sales in  (a) actual and  (b) real terms in each year since the National Lottery began.

Si�n Simon: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  FY ending March 31  Actual Sales  Sales Real Terms 
			 1994-95 1,191 1,760 
			 1995-96 5,217 7,465 
			 1996-97 4,723 6,600 
			 1997-98 5,514 7,458 
			 1998-99 5,228 6,857 
			 1999-00 5,094 6,577 
			 2000-01 4,983 6,247 
			 2001-02 4,834 5,970 
			 2002-03 4,575 5,536 
			 2003-04 4,615 5,433 
			 2004-05 4,766 5,440 
			 2005-06 5,013 5,576 
			 2006-07 4,911 5,265 
			 2007-08 4,966 5,114 
			 2008-09 5,149 5,149 
			  Note: Real Terms calculated using the Retail Price Index

National Lottery

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of the National Lottery Commission has been in  (a) actual and  (b) real terms in each year since its establishment.

Si�n Simon: The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  FY ending March 31  Actual cost  Cost in real terms( 1) 
			 1999-00 3.6 4.5 
			 2000-01 5 6.2 
			 2001-02 3.1 3.7 
			 2002-03 3.3 3.9 
			 2003-04 4.1 4.7 
			 2004-05 4 4.4 
			 2005-06 8.9 9.7 
			 2006-07 11.4 12 
			 2007-08 8.3 8.5 
			 2008-09 5.8 5.8 
			 (1) Costs in 2008-9 prices. Calculated using GDP deflators

Playing Fields: Planning Permission

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many times Sport England has been consulted on planning applications on playing fields below 0.4 hectares in size since April 2009; and how many of those planning applications have been rejected.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In December 2009 Sport England will publish the latest annual playing field statistics available for the year 2007-08. However, information on the number of applications referred to Sport England as a consequence of the change in definition of a playing pitch from 0.4 to 0.2 hectares will not be available until December 2010.

Sports: Facilities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of sports facilities in each region are listed on the Active Places website; and how many unique users the website has had in each year since it was set up.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Active Places only lists certain types of sports facilities. It is therefore not possible to say what proportion of sports facilities in each region are listed on the Active Places website as there are no figures available for this.
	The number of unique users the website has had in each year since it was set up is as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004 59,660 
			 2005 161,506 
			 2006 204,348 
			 2007 218,378 
			 2008 114,270 
			  Source: Sport England

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Parliament Square: Construction

Greg Knight: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if the Commission will take steps to ensure that contractors digging up and closing Parliament square and Victoria street do so as far as possible at times when the House is not sitting.

Nick Harvey: Works in the streets around the Parliamentary Estate are controlled by Westminster city council and Transport for London. These organisations are aware of the requirement that Members' access is not to be impeded. The Parliamentary Director of Estates will make representations to both organisations on the need to minimise disruption to the House during sitting times.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Concessions

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the merits of the introduction of mandatory free companion passes for those who accompany blind or partially-sighted people on bus journeys.

Sadiq Khan: The Government recently improved the statutory minimum concession to provide free off-peak local bus travel anywhere in England for eligible disabled people and those aged 60 or over.
	There are no plans at present to extend the statutory minimum to include companion passes. Under the Concessionary Bus Travel Act 2007, local authorities have the flexibility to offer locally funded benefits over and above the statutory minimum, including companion passes. I believe that local authorities are best placed to know about the needs and circumstances of their residents and to decide on the most appropriate concessions to offer in their particular area based on their overall financial priorities.
	The inclusion of companions to the entitlement is not just a question of cost, but also of ensuring robust and fair definitions of eligibility, mitigating against fraud and managing bus services' ability to respond.
	The Department for Transport recently commissioned some research on the cost and impact of options for extending the current statutory minimum concessionary travel scheme. Based on this research, the Department estimates that it would cost around an extra £104 million per annum to extend the statutory minimum concession to enable free companion passes to those older and disabled people who require them.

Cycling: Helmets

Annette Brooke: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent representations he has received on the wearing of cycle helmets; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The Department for Transport frequently receives representations both for and against making the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory.
	On Thursday 13 August, the Government responded to a petition submitted by Luke Griggs of Headway-the brain injury association-to introduce a new law to make it compulsory for children under 16 to wear helmets while cycling. The response sets out the Government's position on cycle helmet wearing and can be found on the Number10.gov.uk website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page20350

Dartford-Thurrock Crossing: Tolls

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what studies his Department has undertaken on the effect of the 50 per cent. toll rise on the number of vehicles using the Dartford crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The Department for Transport has not commissioned any specific studies to consider the effect of the recent changes to charges at the Dartford crossing. However, the Highways Agency regularly monitors the performance and use of the crossing. An impact assessment was undertaken on the proposed changes when they were consulted upon.
	In a six-month period before the changes to the charges (1 April to 30 September 2008) 27,356,979 vehicles used the Dartford crossing. In a comparable period (1 April to 30 September 2009) 27,054,297 vehicles used the Dartford crossing after the changes to the charges.

Roads: Speed Limits

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what guidance he has issued to the Highways Agency on the imposition of temporary speed limits on main roads at times when road works are not taking place.

Chris Mole: National guidance to all highway authorities, including the Highways Agency about applying temporary speed limits during the suspension of road works, is given in Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8 paragraphs D3.7.10 and D3.7.11. The guidance seeks to prompt designers and operatives to remove speed limits when cones etc. have been removed and there are no other risks which justify retaining the lower limit.

Roads: Speed Limits

Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport for what reasons a 50 miles per hour limit on the A1 in the vicinity of the junction with the B1048 was in force in September 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mole: The 50 miles per hour speed limit was in place in September 2009 on the A1 in the vicinity of the junction with the B1048 for safety reasons, as the safety fence was incomplete and there were excavations along the verges for drainage repairs, as part of the A1 Eaton Socon Bypass resurfacing scheme. The works and speed limit started on 4 September and will be in place until completion of works in late December 2009.
	This scheme involves drainage repairs, resurfacing of both concrete carriageways with low noise surfacing and the renewal of the existing safety fence. The works are carried out using overnight lane closures during the week, and weekend full carriageway closures.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Domestic Waste: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether his Department has issued any recent guidance to waste collection authorities on charging charity shops for the disposal of donated but unsold non-reusable household waste.

Dan Norris: On 12 October 2007, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued guidance to all local authorities on the classification and reporting of waste. This letter included DEFRA's interpretation of the Controlled Waste Regulations (1992) with respect to waste from charities and charity shops.

Domestic Waste: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities have expressed a preliminary interest in levying charges for the collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: No authorities have yet come forward to formally express an interest in participating in a pilot waste incentive scheme.
	The hon. Member for Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock) wrote to local authorities on 20 June 2008 inviting them to come forward, noting that DEFRA would only release the name of any authority which came forward, at the point of an explicit expression of interest.

Domestic Waste: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to publish the summary of responses to his Department's June 2008 consultation on draft guidance on incentives for recycling by households.

Dan Norris: A summary of responses to the formal consultation on Waste Incentive Schemes: draft recycling service guidance was published on 27 March 2009 and can be found on DEFRA's website.

Domestic Waste: Fees and Charges

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many organisations responded to his Department's consultation on the guidance on the operation of waste incentive charges for the collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: The Department received 29 responses in total to its informal June 2008 consultation on incentives for recycling by households, which also included the recycling service guidance.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the transposition of the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) on the municipal collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: On 16 July 2009 my Department published a consultation paper on the transposition of key provisions of the revised Waste Framework Directive. The provisions addressed in that consultation paper include those in Article 11(1) on the collection of waste. The consultation paper contains an initial impact assessment.
	The consultation paper referred to is available on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-framework/index.htm

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 1 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 8-9W, on waste disposal, if he will place in the Library a copy of the WasteDataFlow returns of each local authority for  (a) quarter 3 and  (b) quarter 4.

Dan Norris: The WasteDataFlow data for quarter 4 of 2008-09, and the final data at local authority level for all of 2008-09, will be published on DEFRA's website on 5 November 2009. In line with the National Statistics Code of Practice, these data cannot be released before this date.
	Provisional data for quarter 3 of 2008-09 is published at regional level on DEFRA's website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/evidence/statistics/environment/wastats/bulletin09qtr.htm
	Provisional local authority level data for quarter 3 can be viewed by registering to use WasteDataFlow at
	http://www.wastedataflow.co.uk/
	and downloading summary reports. These reports, including the background datasheets, are publicly available and contain detailed data for each local authority. To print out and put in the Library every data entry by each local authority in England could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he proposes to amend  (a) enforcement powers and  (b) penalties levied in respect of household waste offences consequent upon the coming into force of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008.

Dan Norris: I do not propose to amend either the enforcement powers or the penalties.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons no  (a) impact assessment and  (b) equalities impact assessment was conducted in relation to clauses in the Climate Change Act 2008 in respect of the statutory duties of waste collection authorities for the collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: The amendment to section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, made through the Climate Change Act 2008, provides a single point of reference in legislation for local authorities. As it was a clarification of published policy and not a new measure, consultation and development of an impact assessment were not deemed necessary.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research has been commissioned by his Department into the  (a) waste collection and  (b) waste disposal implications of the shift to mercury-based compact fluorescent light bulbs for domestic use.

Dan Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Wavertree (Jane Kennedy) on 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column 8W.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the adoption of  (a) no side waste policies and  (b) no closed lid policies.

Dan Norris: DEFRA has issued no such guidance.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if his Department will accept bids from joint waste authorities to participate in waste collection charge pilot schemes.

Dan Norris: Powers provided in the Climate Change Act allow up to five local authorities to pilot incentives to encourage household waste minimisation and recycling.
	A joint waste authority (JWA) would be able to put forward a proposal to pilot a waste incentive scheme in its area if it had responsibility for waste collection.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance the Waste Improvement Network has published on the operation of (a) closed lid policies and  (b) no side-waste policies for the collection of household waste.

Dan Norris: Neither the Waste Improvement Network (WIN), nor the Waste and Resources Action Programme has issued any such guidance.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate  (a) his Department and  (b) the Waste and Resources Action Programme has made of the average capital cost, excluding value added tax, of a household wheeled refuse container, including the cost of delivery.

Dan Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) on 20 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 723-24W.

Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what procedures are followed in deciding what research projects to fund from the Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The DEFRA-chaired Marine ALSF Steering Group agrees the strategic direction of marine projects funded by the ALSF and ensures that they meet with the ALSF objectives.
	For the majority, the Marine ALSF Steering Group commissions projects via open calls advertised on the MALSF website. All Expressions of Interest and full tenders are evaluated by a panel drawn from the Marine ALSF Steering Group members. There may also be occasions where a short list of contractors is compiled from previously submitted Expressions of Interest and these contractors invited to submit full proposals at a later stage of commissioning. On a few occasions the Marine ALSF Steering Group may commission work by single action tender.
	All procurement and operation of evaluation panels is governed by the Marine Environment Protection Fund procurement protocol and panel terms of references contained within document MEPF: who we are and how we operate which is published on the MALSF website at:
	http://www.alsf-mepf.org.uk/downloads/documents/mepf---how-we-operate.aspx

Marine Aggregate Levy Sustainability Fund

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for  (a) Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the environment and  (b) Marine Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund project funding have been made by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; and how many of them have been successful.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The figures for  (a) Collaborative Offshore Wind Research (COWRIE) and  (b) Marine Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund-Marine Environment Protection Fund (ALSF-MEPF) applications made by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science are as follows:
	
		
			  COWRIE 
			   Number 
			 Submitted 2 
			 Successful 2 
		
	
	
		
			  ALSF-MEPF 
			   Number 
			 Submitted 28 
			 Successful 17 
			 Unsuccessful 9 
			 Awaiting outcome 2

Pesticides: Licensing

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 9 September 2009,  Official Report, column 1919W, on weedkillers, what recent discussions officials in his Department have held with representatives of Dow AgroSciences Ltd on the relicensing of the herbicide aminopyralid; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: The Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Executive is the part of central Government responsible for the regulation of pesticides, detergents, chemicals, on behalf of DEFRA Ministers. CRD officials had a number of contacts, as is usual, during the course of the consideration of recent applications for approval of two new products containing aminopyralid.

River Lymington: Ferries

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he plans to take to protect the Natura 2000 site at the mouth of the Lymington river from damage by commercial ferry operators; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Natural England is in discussion with the relevant ferry operator over the action that can be taken to avoid any adverse effect on the integrity of the Natura sites in the vicinity of the Lymington river from ferry operations.
	Should Natural England advise that mitigation action cannot be taken to prevent any adverse effects, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with Natural England, will consider what steps it might be appropriate to take to avoid any damage to the protected sites.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total annual cost to the public purse was of  (a) the Waste and Resources Action Programme and  (b) the Waste Improvement Network in the last year for which figures are available.

Dan Norris: The Waste and Resources Action Programme's grant funding for 2008-09 was £55 million. The cost of running the Waste Improvement Network (WIN) for 2008-09 was £195,783. This cost covers delivery of the WIN Website, the Waste and Recycling Mentoring Scheme (WROMS) online conferencing tool, the co-ordination of waste network chairs and the development of an online self assessment tool for councils.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Waste and Resources Action Programme's Waste Prevention Toolkit.

Dan Norris: I refer the hon. Member for Meriden to the answer I gave on 13 July 2009,  Official Report, column 16W.

Waste Management

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate his Department has made of  (a) the amount and  (b) the percentage of waste sent to landfill abroad in each of the last five years.

Dan Norris: holding answer 19 October 2009
	The UK Plan for Shipments of Waste, which sets out Government policy on shipments of waste, prohibits the export of waste from the UK for landfill or other disposal operations with very few exceptions. Waste may, however, be exported for recovery, including recycling. Therefore, no such estimate has been made.

Weed Control: Avon

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects on farmers incomes of English Nature discontinuing the practice of weed cutting in the lower Avon Valley; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: In 2004, the Environment Agency gave notice to landowners and farmers that it would review mechanised weed cutting in the lower River Avon in five years' time. The review, which was undertaken through a local partnership between the Environment Agency, Natural England and fishery and farming interests, concluded that there were no flood or nature conservation benefits from the practice. Consequently mechanised weed cutting was discontinued.
	No assessment has been made of the implications on farmers' incomes of discontinuing mechanised weed cutting in the lower River Avon, although Natural England continues to give support and advice through Environmental Stewardship to farmers and landowners who wish to change their farming practice.

Weed Control: Avon

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what expenditure English Nature incurred on weed cutting in the lower Avon Valley in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Natural England (formerly English Nature) is not involved operationally in weed cutting but does provide scientific advice on the likely impacts of this activity.
	Mechanised weed cutting on the River Avon System has been carried out by the Environment Agency as part of its routine river management.
	The Environment Agency estimates the annual cost of weed cutting on the Lower Hampshire Avon over the last five years to be in the order of £120,000 per annum. This figure includes the direct operational costs (e.g. staff time and equipment), indirect costs (e.g. proportional costs for plant and consumables), plus additional costs such as those associated with liaison with local stakeholders. Costs vary year on year depending on how much weed has been cut, the timing of the cuts, and patterns of activity.

Weedkillers

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library copies of the reports his Department has received on the half-life of the herbicide aminopyralid.

Dan Norris: There is a range of information relating to the way that aminopyralid degrades in a variety of situations. This information can be found in the disclosure document published by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. I will ensure that a copy will be placed in the Library of the House when it is published shortly.

Weedkillers

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of each item of correspondence between Ministers in his Department and  (a) Dow AgroSciences Ltd and  (b) the Advisory Committee on Pesticides in relation to the herbicide aminopyralid exchanged in the last three years.

Dan Norris: A copy of the requested correspondence will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.

Weedkillers

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the potential effects of aminopyralid on human health; and if he will make a statement.

Dan Norris: The core data package for aminopyralid was first considered by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides at their meeting in September 2005. The assessment has been published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as part of the European consideration of aminopyralid, and can be obtained via their website:
	http://dar.efsa.europa.eu/dar-web/provision
	The Advisory Committee on Pesticides considered whether there was any risk to human health arising from the misuse of that led to aminopyralid products appearing in manure earlier this year. The ACP considered that there was no unacceptable risk. The records of these meetings (in May and June 2009) can be found on the ACP website at:
	www.pesticides.gov.uk/acp.home.asp
	The disclosure document summarising the assessment will be placed on this website shortly and a copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

HEALTH

Blood: Contamination

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have  (a) died and  (b) contracted sepsis as a result of receiving bacterially contaminated transfused blood components in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Since 8 November 2005, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been the United Kingdom competent authority for the safety and quality of blood components for transfusion. In that time MHRA has received 14 statutory reports of transfusion-transmitted bacterial infection where the transfused component was identified as probably or definitely the source of sepsis. Of these 14 reports, two involved deaths.
	A voluntary reporting scheme Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT), funded by the UK Blood Services, operates alongside the statutory MHRA system. Between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008, SHOT recorded 13 confirmed cases of bacterial infection transmitted by blood components in the UK. Of these, three individuals died. Although both MHRA and SHOT actively encourage participation in the SHOT scheme, it is possible that not all reports to MHRA will be shared with SHOT, and there may be further clinical investigation of individual cases reported via SHOT, hence the slight discrepancy between MHRA and SHOT figures. However, the two schemes are working to reconcile their data.

Dental Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS dentists are permitted to refuse to provide further treatment to patients if they do not attend for check-ups when advised to do so.

Ann Keen: Most dental practices choose to provide ongoing care to their patients including recalls at appropriate clinical intervals. However, once a course of treatment is completed, patients are free to change practice. Equally, dental providers are not compelled as part of their national health service contractual arrangements to offer further courses of treatment once the current one is complete. It is up to individual practices to decide whether to offer further courses of treatment to patients who do not respond to advice on recall intervals.

Dental Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were providing NHS services in  (a) Vale of York constituency,  (b) North Yorkshire and  (c) England in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The number of national health service (NHS) dentists, in England, as at 31 March, 1997 to 2006 are available in annex E and annex G of the NHS Dental Activity and Workforce Report England: 31 March 2006. Annex E provides information by strategic health authority (SHA) and by primary care trust (PCT). Annex G provides information by constituency.
	This information is based on the old contractual arrangements, which were in place up to and including 31 March 2006. This report, published on 23 August 2006, has already been placed in the Library and is available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dwfactivity
	The number of dentists with NHS activity during the years ending 31 March, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are available in table G1 of annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England 2008/09 report. Information is provided for England and by SHA and PCT but is not available by constituency. This information is based on the new dental contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006. This report, published on 19 August 2009, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0809
	Following a recent consultation exercise, this measure is based on a revised methodology and therefore supersedes any previously published work force figures relating to the new dental contractual arrangements. It is not comparable to the information collected under the old contractual arrangements. This revised methodology counted the number of dental performers with NHS activity recorded via FP17 claim forms in each year ending 31 March.
	These published figures relate to a headcount and do not differentiate between full-time and part-time dentists, nor do they account for the fact that some dentists may do more NHS work than others.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2007-08

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each document in his Department's file EAX/036 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill 2007-08; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of each document in his Department's file EAX/034 Human Tissue and Embryos (Draft) Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: We can confirm that the Department does hold these files. It will take some time to review the information requested and assess what information can be released. We will endeavour to do so within 20 working days, which is the period of time that would apply had the hon. Member submitted his question as a freedom of information request. I will write to the hon. Member in due course and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

Human-Animal Hybrid Embryos

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Human Fertilisation Act 2008 to extend protection to embryos whose statutory storage period has expired; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: Yes. The Government have made the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Supplementary Provision) Order 2009 which applies to embryos whose statutory storage period had expired. The order permits, from 1 October, such embryos to remain in storage for 10 years from the date they were first put into storage.
	In addition to the order, the Government have also introduced the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. These enable embryos that remain in storage by virtue of the order to benefit from the extended storage periods set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 provided they fulfil the conditions set out in those regulations.

In Vitro Fertilisation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the requirement to destroy embryos frozen under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act  (a) 1990 and  (b) 2008; what his policy is on embryos which have been stored for five years; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) code of practice provides guidance for centres on fulfilling the requirements placed on them by the legislation.
	As a result of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 the statutory limit on storage for embryos has been extended from five to 10 years, bringing it into line with the storage period for gametes (sperm and eggs). The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Periods for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 set out the criteria that must be fulfilled for storage periods to be extended beyond 10 years.
	For embryos that had been in storage for more than five years on the 1 October, where a five-year storage period applied to those embryos, the Government have made the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Supplementary Provision) Order 2009. The order permits, from 1 October, such embryos to remain in storage for 10 years from the date they were first put into storage. In addition to the order, the Government have also introduced the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) (Amendment) Regulations 2009. These regulations enable embryos that remain in storage by virtue of the order to benefit from the extended storage periods set out in the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Statutory Storage Period for Embryos and Gametes) Regulations 2009 provided they fulfil the conditions set out in those regulations.

Low Birthweight Babies

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of babies born alive had a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg in  (a) England,  (b) each strategic health authority area and  (c) each primary care trust area in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	What proportion of babies born in each primary care trust area of England were of low birth weight in the period since 1997. (293188)
	What percentage of babies born alive had a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg in (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each primary care trust area in each of the last three years. (293187)
	The table attached provides the percentage of live births that were of low birth weight (less than 2.5kg) in: (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each primary care organisation area for 1997 to 2008 (the latest year available).
	A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	Figures for 15 primary care organisations have been suppressed because of small numbers, in order to protect the privacy of individual mothers and babies.

NHS Foundation Trusts: Governing Bodies

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average size of the electorate of a foundation hospital governing board; and what the average number of votes cast in elections to such bodies has been.

Mike O'Brien: The average size of the electorate of a foundation trust governing board is shown in table 1. These figures are based on the 115 foundation trusts authorised on or before 1 March 2009. The average number of votes cast in elections, referred to as aggregate election turnout in table 2, was collected by Monitor for the first time in 2008-09 and relates to elections held between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			  At year end (31 March)  2008-09  Average 2008-09  2009-10 (Estimate)  Average 2009-10 (Estimate) 
			 Public constituency 924,087 8,036 1,065,096 9,262 
			 Staff constituency 420,783 3,659 432,340 3,759 
			 Patient constituency 120,453 1,047 143,326 1,246 
			 Total membership 1,465,323 12,742 1,640,762 14,267 
			  Notes: 1. Total foundation trust membership grew by 11 per cent. in 2008-09. 2. Public membership grew by 14 per cent. and staff membership by 9 per cent. during this period, however, patient membership fell due to a number of trust consolidating their patient and public constituencies. 3. Foundation trust plans show forecast membership growth of 12 per cent. during 2009-10. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 
			Uncontested elections  
			  Constituency  Number of elections  Number  Percentage  Aggregate election turnout (Percentage) 
			 Public 233 40 17 27 
			 Patient 34 3 9 26 
			 Staff 86 27 31 19 
			 Total 353 70 20 26 
			  Notes: 1. 283 of the 353 elections held were a direction competition between more than one candidate. 2. More than 125,000 members voted in these 283 elections.

Radiotherapy

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has evaluated on the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of low-grade brain tumours.

Gillian Merron: None.
	The point has not yet been reached where it would be possible to undertake the secondary research from which a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of this relatively new therapy could be made.

Social Services: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the provision of social care and support in the Leeds West constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The Department is investing circa £3.5 billion over this comprehensive spending review period to support improvements in the provision of social care. In particular, the social care reform grant will provide an extra £520 million for the reform and transformation of adult social care, helping people to retain independence and exercise choice and control over the help they need.
	In 2009-10, Leeds adult social care received a total of nearly £17.6 million of revenue and capital grant funding, both specific and non-specific. Of this, Leeds adult social care received £2.74 million in social care reform grant (revenue). Total grant funding by the Department to Leeds adult social care will increase to nearly £17.9 million in 2010-11. No data are available to identify the proportion of this funding used to support people in West Leeds.
	The responsibility for the provision of adult social care within West Leeds lies with Leeds city council and it will have worked with its local partnerships to inform and develop joint strategic needs assessment to identify and agree local priorities.

Social Services: Tamworth

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase the provision of social care and support in Tamworth constituency.

Phil Hope: The Department is investing circa £3.5 billion over this comprehensive spending review period to support improvements in the provision of social care. In particular, the social care reform grant will provide an extra £520 million for the reform and transformation of adult social care, helping people to retain independence and exercise choice and control over the help they need
	In 2009-10, Staffordshire Adult Social Care received a total of nearly £15.5 million of revenue and capital grant funding, both specific and non-specific. Of this, Staffordshire Adult Social Care received £2.85 million in Social Care Reform Grant (revenue), which is set to rise to £3.54 million in 2010-11.
	The responsibility for the provision of adult social care within Tamworth lies with Staffordshire county council and it will have used Local Strategic Partnerships to inform and develop a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment in Staffordshire to identify and agree local priorities.

Swine Flu: Aviation

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission research on the effects on swine influenza transmission of the number of cabin air changes per hour during commercial flights; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Department via the National Institute for Health Research has funded fourteen research projects related to swine influenza. None of these projects investigates influenza transmission during commercial flights.
	Aircraft cabin air in the majority of commercial aircraft is exchanged and filtered every two to three minutes, exceeding the minimum number of air changes per hour that the World Health Organization recommends for healthcare facilities to prevent the transmission by droplet nuclei of infectious pathogens. In addition, a study published by the American Medical Association in 2002 found no evidence that cabin air re-circulation increases the risk for upper respiratory tract infections in commercial jet passengers.
	The Department therefore does not have any plans to commission research in this area.

WALES

Departmental Training

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many external training courses have been attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost of attendance at each such course was.

Peter Hain: Staff have attended a total of 18 external training courses in the last 12 months. The total cost for all 34 of those attendees was £16,094.19.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carer's Allowance: Birmingham

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Birmingham Sparkbrook  Small Heath constituency  (a) are entitled to and  (b) receive carer's allowance.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Carer's allowance-Birmingham Sparkbrook and Small Heath constituency 
			   Number 
			 Total number entitled at February 2009 3,080 
			 Total number in payment at February 2009 2,450 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Carers entitled to receive carer's allowance may not be paid it because they receive an overlapping benefit equal to or greater than their weekly rate of carer's allowance.  Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Children: Maintenance

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long on average it takes the Child Support Agency to pass deduction of earning payments on to the recipient parent; and what steps she is taking to introduce  (a) same-day and  (b) same-week processing.

Helen Goodman: holding answer 12 October 2009
	The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and I have seen the response.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how long on average it takes the Child Support Agency to pass deduction of earning payments onto the recipient parent; and what steps she is taking to introduce (a) same-day and (b) same-week processing.
	Once the Child Support Agency has received the payment from the non-resident parent's employer, the average length of time it takes the Agency to process the payment and pass it on to the parent with care is one day. Cash and postal orders can be passed on to the parent with care on the same day as they are received into the Agency's bank. Many automated methods of payment such as child maintenance received from the non-resident parent by direct debit are forwarded once the banking system has cleared the funds. In these cases the parent with care receives maintenance three days later on average. This process takes longer if payments are made to the parent with care by cheque.
	It should be noted that employers are required to pass on maintenance deducted from employee's earnings by the nineteenth day of the following month, parents with care may therefore experience a delay in receiving their first payment.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Employment and Support Allowance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the average  (a) cost of carrying out and  (b) time taken to carry out a work capability assessment for the employment support allowance; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: It is not possible to supply the cost of medical examinations. This is because if the information was disclosed it would prejudice the commercial interests of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and/or Atos Healthcare IT Services Ltd., the Medical Services contractor. This falls under the exemption in section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act.
	The time taken to carry out a work capability assessment (WCA) for employment support allowance varies dependant on the customer's medical condition. This is because the examining health care professional's (HCPs) aim is to obtain the necessary information that is required by the Decision Maker, whose task it is to make the decision on benefit entitlement. The examination will therefore take as long as necessary to obtain sufficient information for the purpose of determining entitlement to benefit.

Incapacity Benefit: Appeals

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 1287-8, on incapacity benefit, what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants in  (a) the UK and  (b) Yorkshire and the Humber who had their claims terminated for failing a personal capability assessment/own occupation test between December 2007 and November 2008 (i) appealed and (ii) had their benefit reinstated on appeal.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information is not held centrally.

Incapacity Benefit: Employment Support Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit claimants in each region she estimates will be migrated to employment support allowance in each quarter until 2013; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested is not available.
	We are still making detailed plans for the migration of existing incapacity benefits claimants to employment and support allowance.

Incapacity Benefit: Employment Support Allowance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many assessors  (a) there are and  (b) there are expected to be in 2010 to assess (i) existing incapacity benefits claimants and (ii) new employment and support allowance claimants; and if she will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Currently there are 526 health care professionals who are fully trained to undertake incapacity benefit (IB) medical examinations and 687 health care professionals trained to undertake employment and support allowance (ESA) medical examination. I can advise that Atos Healthcare are undertaking a training programme to enable health care professionals to undertake both IB and ESA medical examinations.
	Projected figures relating to the expected HCP resources for the year 2010 are currently not available.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of claimants for industrial disease claims for coalminers beat knee and osteoarthritis were refused a claim in the first three months of eligibility of claim for medical assessment.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on the number of disallowed claims for prescribed disease A6 (beat knee) is not available.
	The number of cases for osteoarthritis of the knee decided following a medical examination was 375. Of these 234 were either refused industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) or refused an increase in IIDB. This equates to 62 per cent. of claimants.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment her Department has made of the incidence of coactivity in claimants when assessing industrial disease claims for coalminers beat knee and osteoarthritis.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions has made no specific assessment of the incidence of coactivity in industrial disease claims for coalminers beat knee and osteoarthritis. The medical assessment in these claims would assess all the relevant loss of faculty and resulting disability from osteoarthritis of the knee or beat knee or both.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what health assessment process her Department uses to assess industrial disease claims for coalminers beat knee and osteoarthritis.

Jonathan R Shaw: Following receipt of a claim, a Jobcentre Plus decision maker will decide whether the claimant satisfies the occupational criteria for the prescribed disease. If the prescription is satisfied, a referral is made to Atos Healthcare who will request any previous X-rays and/or any relevant hospital letters relating to the condition. All claimants are subsequently examined by a doctor working for Atos Healthcare. The doctor will, through a combination of history and examination findings, provide advice to the decision maker as to whether the condition is diagnosed, and if it is, on the level of disablement with reference to a person of the same age and sex whose physical and mental condition is normal.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what use her Department makes of the WOMAC index questionnaire in assessing industrial disease claims for coalminers' beat knee and osteroarthritis.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department for Work and Pensions does not use the WOMAC index questionnaire in assessing coalminers' beat knee and osteoarthritis.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many dedicated mental health experts are working in the Jobcentre Plus network.

Jonathan R Shaw: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated October 2009:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many dedicated mental health experts are working in the Jobcentre Plus network. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	We are introducing the post of Mental Health Coordinator within each Jobcentre Plus District. We currently have 42 coordinators in post, with a further six to take up post in November. It is not our advisers' nor that of the Mental Health Coordinators' role to be expert in mental health conditions. However, the coordinators have an important role in improving and facilitating links between local mental health organisations and employment services. They also ensure that Jobcentre Plus advisers are aware of the mental health support available in their district for those customers who would benefit.

Pensioners: Poverty

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent estimate she has made of the number of pensioners living in poverty in Leeds West constituency; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Estimates of poverty, published in the Households Below Average Income series, only allows a breakdown of the overall number of people in poverty at Government office region level. Therefore, information for Leeds, West constituency is not available.
	Latest information for Yorkshire and the Humber Government office region, is based on three-year averages and is provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Pensioners falling below various thresholds of median household income, after housing costs, Yorkshire and the Humber Government office region, 2005-06 to 2007-08 
			   Number 
			 Below 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income 200,000 
			 Below 50 per cent. of contemporary median household income 100,000 
			 Below 60 per cent. of the 1998-99 median household income uprated in line with prices 100,000

Pensions: Costs

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the effect on the Exchequer of a change in the eligibility age for the state retirement pension for  (a) men and  (b) women to (i) 66, (ii) 67 and (iii) 68 years.

Angela Eagle: Estimates of the net savings from increasing State Pension age for men and women to 66, 67 and 68 as part of the additional benefit spend of the overall package of reforms in the 2007 Pension Act package of reforms can be found in the pension reform factsheet. The relevant tables are Figure 16 (spend in cash terms), Figure 19 (spend in 2007-08 prices terms) and Figure 22 (spend in per cent. of GDP terms). A copy of the factsheet has been placed in the House of Commons Library and is also available at the following link:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/pensions-reform-factsheet.pdf

Work Capability Assessment

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what her most recent estimate is of the likely effect of the new Work Capability Assessment on the proportion of existing incapacity benefit claimants expected to  (a) pass the assessment and move into the work-related activity group of the employment and support allowance,  (b) pass the assessment and move into the support group of the employment and support allowance and  (c) fail the assessment when they are reassessed between 2010 and 2013.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 9 September 2009
	When the new Work Capability Assessment is applied to existing incapacity benefits claimants, our initial estimates are that overall, around 65 per cent. will be assessed to be in the work-related activity group of employment and support allowance, 20 per cent. will be assessed to be in the support group, and 15 per cent. will be disallowed employment and support allowance.
	These are working assumptions that will continue to be evaluated and updated in light of new evidence.

Work Capability Assessment

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of applicants in  (a) the UK and  (b) Scotland (i) failed and (ii) failed with no points the work capability assessment in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many of those in each category had their employment support allowance re-instated after appeal.

Jonathan R Shaw: National level statistics on the work capability assessment covering Great Britain were published on 13 October 2009 and are available via the ONS publication hub. A copy of the publication has been placed in the Library and can be accessed directly on the following website:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca.asp
	The published data summarises work capability assessment results for employment support allowance claims up to the end of February 2009. The Department does not assess people on the basis of passing or failing the work capability assessment. At the work capability assessment people can be assessed as falling into one of three categories:
	Support group (for those with severe disabilities)-they receive a higher rate of benefit entitlement overall and exemption from mandatory involvement with pathways;
	Work related activity group-they receive higher rate of benefit than those on jobseeker's allowance and are mandated to engage with Pathways to Work;
	Fit for work-individuals can ask for a reconsideration or appeal if they disagree with the decision.
	The following table summarises the published figures for Great Britain and the equivalent figures for Scotland.
	
		
			  ESA on-flows October 2008 to February 2009 by result of medical assessment 
			   Great Britain  Scotland 
			  Work capability result  Volumes  Percentage  Volumes  percentage 
			 Support group 10,000 5 800 4 
			 Work related activity group 21,600 11 1,500 7 
			 Fit for work 68,800 36 8,600 42 
			 Claim closed before assessment complete 74,500 38 8,000 39 
			 Assessment still in progress 19,000 10 1,600 8 
			  Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 100

HOME DEPARTMENT

62 South Eaton Place

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the home information pack for 62 South Eaton Place was updated to reflect the fact that the freehold was being sold with the leasehold.

Phil Woolas: The Department has served notice under the Leasehold Reform Act to acquire the freehold to merge with its leasehold interest of 62 South Eaton Place so as to achieve better value for money on its outright disposal. Until the freehold is acquired the home information pack cannot be amended.

62 South Eaton Place

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a property information questionnaire has been produced as part of the home information pack for 62 South Eaton Place.

Phil Woolas: There was no legal requirement to prepare a property information questionnaire with the home information pack for 62 South Eaton Place. The sale particulars and supporting information held by the selling agent has met the requirements of prospective purchasers.

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many shopkeepers were prosecuted in  (a) England,  (b) West Yorkshire and  (c) Leeds North West for selling alcohol to underage drinkers in the latest period for which figures are available.

Alan Campbell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1024W. The table is broken down into male, female and other defendants, but we are not able to differentiate between shopkeepers and any other defendants. Figures are broken down into police force area and are not available by constituency. The data for 2008 will be available at the end of January 2010.

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of anti-Semitic attacks during Jewish high holy days in  (a) 2008 and  (b) 2009; and if he will make a statement; [R]
	(2)  what steps the Government is taking to protect the Jewish community from anti-Semitic attacks; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Alan Campbell: The Government abhor all forms of hate crime. It is not possible to make estimates of the number of anti-Semitic attacks during Jewish high holy days. However, the Association of Chief Police Officers National Community Tension Team (NCTT) collects intelligence data on hate crime which informs police deployment decisions and acts as an indicator of community tension. As such, NCTT data can inform responses to fluctuations in anti-Semitic attacks connected to particular events on an operational basis for the police.
	The Home Office has identified £5 million from the 2009-10 budget of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) to reduce the vulnerability of crowded places to terrorist attack. This funding will be allocated to priorities identified by local partnerships and risk assessments carried out by Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs). The funding will be directed at local authorities to improve the protection of crowded places locations and third sector organisations, such as the Community Security Trust, should work with local authorities to explore how they may make use of this funding.
	The All-Party Inquiry into Anti-Semitism: Government Response One year on Progress Report published in May 2008 set out our current programme of work to combat anti-Semitism. A command paper will be published by May 2010 setting out further progress. We have also recently published a Cross-Government Hate Crime Action Plan to tackle all forms of hate crime, including anti-Semitism.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued to people  (a) under and  (b) over the age of 18 years in (i) England and (ii) North East Cambridgeshire in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 9 September 2009
	The latest available published data on the number of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) issued covers the period 1 April 1999 to 31 December 2007 and are not available below Criminal Justice System (CJS) area level.
	The available information is shown in the following tables. The first table shows the number of orders issued to young people (defined as being aged 10 to 17 at the date of appearance in court) and the second the number of orders issued to adults (defined as being aged 18 or over at the date of appearance in court).
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued to persons aged 10 to 17( 1)  at the Cambridgeshire criminal justice system (CJS) area and at all courts in England as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, January 2003( 2)  to December 2007 
			   CJS area 
			   Cambridgeshire  England 
			 2003 10 598 
			 2004 3 1,291 
			 2005 14 1,493 
			 2006 15 971 
			 2007 4 869 
			 Total 46 5,222 
			 (1) Previously issued data have been revised. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of antisocial behaviour orders issued to persons aged 18+( 1)  at the Cambridgeshire criminal justice system (CJS) area and at all courts in England as reported to the Home Office by the Court Service, January 2003( 2)  to December 2007 
			   Cambridgeshire  England 
			 2003 5 679 
			 2004 23 2,013 
			 2005 34 2,344 
			 2006 16 1,509 
			 2007 16 1,250 
			 Total 94 7,795 
			 (1) Previously issued data have been revised.  Note: Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: OCJR Court Proceedings Database

Antisocial Behaviour: Crime Prevention

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what recent estimate he has made of the number of mosquito ultrasonic devices in use in  (a) London and  (b) England;
	(2)  if he will review the use of mosquito ultrasonic deterrent devices by  (a) police forces and  (b) others.

Alan Campbell: Information on the use of mosquito dispersal devices is not collected centrally by the Home Office.
	We encourage local agencies to consider the full range of innovations, schemes and practices intended to reduce crime, the fear of crime and antisocial behaviour. It is for local agencies like the police and local authorities to decide on the most appropriate interventions to tackle antisocial behaviour based on their knowledge of what works best locally. The Home Office does not promote or recommend any particular commercial product or venture above this.
	The use of any device like mosquito which claims to disperse groups of young people should be treated with caution and if used should form part of an overall strategy to tackle drivers of that antisocial behaviour and to encourage more constructive behaviour.
	We have no plans to review the use of mosquito ultrasonic deterrent devices.

Asylum

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases have been  (a) dealt with and  (b) concluded under the legacy casework programme.

Phil Woolas: The total conclusions now stand at over 197,500 cases concluded to end of May 2009 and Lin Homer, chief executive of the UK Border Agency, will update the Home Affairs Select Committee on performance to date this month.

Closed Circuit Television

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on implementation of the National CCTV Strategy; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Campbell: Progress continues to be made on implementing the National CCTV Strategy led by the National CCTV Strategy Programme Board. The Programme Board has been reviewing the recommendations made in the strategy and, as indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling) on 11 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 521-22W, some of the recommendations are either no longer appropriate or need reviewing. We will announce the outcome of that review in due course.

Crime: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of crime were recorded in Enfield North constituency in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: Statistics for the Enfield North constituency are not collected centrally.
	The available information relates to offences recorded by the police in the Enfield local authority area and is given in the following table. Data for total crime at local authority level are only available from 2000-01.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences recorded by the police in Enfield-2000-01 and 2001-02( 1) 
			   Number of offences 
			 2000-01 28,019 
			 2001-02 29,401 
			 (1) The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Offences recorded by the police in Enfield-2002-03 to 2008-09( 1) 
			   Number of offences 
			 2002-03 30,042 
			 2003-04 29,998 
			 2004-05 28,131 
			 2005-06 27,473 
			 2006-07 27,058 
			 2007-08 25,248 
			 2008-09 24,566 
			 (1) The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crime: Leeds

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of crime were recorded in Leeds North West constituency in each year since 1997.

Alan Campbell: Statistics for the Leeds North West constituency are not collected centrally.
	The available information relates to offences recorded by the police in the Leeds local authority area and is given in the following tables. Data for total crime for Leeds are only available centrally from 2001-02.
	
		
			  Table 1: Offences recorded by the police in Leeds ,  2001-02( 1) 
			   Number of offences 
			 2001-02 120,477 
			 (1) The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Offences recorded by the police in Leeds ,  2002-03 to 2008-09( 1) 
			   Number of offences 
			 2002-03 128,920 
			 2003-04 125,692 
			 2004-05 103,404 
			 2005-06 98,014 
			 2006-07 94,184 
			 2007-08 85,737 
			 2008-09 82,272 
			 (1) The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Departmental Advertising

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on which initiatives of his Department and its agencies expenditure on advertising has been incurred in each of the last five years; how much was spent on each such initiative; and which such initiatives were offered for tender through the Central Office of Information.

Phil Woolas: The following table outlines Home Office and its agencies spend on advertising in each of the last five years, broken down by campaign area. All were carried out via the Central Office of Information.
	Recruitment advertising is not done centrally but carried out across the Department and hence spend could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Campaign  Cost (£) 
			 2004-05 Acquisitive Crime Reduction 6,100,808 
			  Antisocial Behaviour 366,553 
			  Child Protection on the Internet 290,225 
			  Clean Up campaign 2005-06 25,722 
			  Domestic Violence 432,263 
			  Drugs (including FRANK campaign) 936,688 
			  Gun Crime 162,042 
			  Police Specials Recruitment 1,885,559 
			  UK Passport Service(1) 124,670 
			
			 2005-06 Acquisitive Crime Reduction 4,123,311 
			  Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign 92,204 
			  Antisocial Behaviour 396,475 
			  Child Protection on the Internet 862,229 
			  Clean Up campaign 39,819 
			  Crime Stoppers 82,182 
			  Domestic Violence 534,587 
			  Drugs (including FRANK campaign) 1,524,701 
			  Park Mark Car Parks 94,260 
			  Police Specials Recruitment 1,389,166 
			  Rape 66,153 
			  UK Passport Service(1) 76,000 
			
			
			 2006-07 Acquisitive Crime Reduction 3,266,192 
			  Alcohol Binge drinking 1,975,005 
			  Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign 231,713 
			  Child Protection on the Internet 46,824 
			  Domestic Violence 800,384 
			  Drugs (including FRANK campaign) 3,467,021 
			  Immigration 790,860 
			  Knife Amnesty 137,083 
			  PCSO Recruitment 1,748,743 
			  Rape 280,022 
			  Single Non-Emergency Number 780,325 
			  Stop and Search 134,501 
			  Identity and Passport Service (IPS) Communications(1) 105,950 
			
			 2007-08 Alcohol Harm Reduction 2,900,411 
			  Community Safety 866,889 
			  Drugs (including FRANK campaign) 898,509 
			  Immigration 1,973,558 
			  Kerb Crawling 218,025 
			  Mobile Phone Blocking 190,162 
			  IPS-Passport Authentication by Interview 1,043,714 
			  IPS Communications(1) 78,417 
			
			 2008-09 Acquisitive Crime Reduction-Burglary 918,170 
			  Alcohol Harm Reduction 2,790,203 
			  Community Safety 2,246,390 
			  Drugs (including FRANK campaign) 717,397 
			  Human Trafficking 8,928 
			  Immigration-Points Based System 2,453,007 
			  IPS Communications(1) 21,500 
			 (1) IPS Communications costs (and its predecessor the UK Passport Authority) were related to informing the public of passport fee increases and encouraging the public to get the applications in early to help distribute passport demand more evenly throughout the year.

Departmental Procurement

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of procurement contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies awarded to small businesses in (i) 2006-07, (ii) 2007-08, (iii) 2008-09 and (iv) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Home Department is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Glover Report and is working to achieve these. It has the ability to identify small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on its system and currently has 1,883 registered.
	The Department does not capture company size information in relation to number of employees below that of the definition of SMEs, which are enterprises that employ fewer than 250 employees.
	To provide information of the number of contracts awarded to small businesses for the Home Department and its agencies for each of the last four financial years would incur disproportionate cost.

Departmental Travel

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on first class rail travel for officials in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: During 2008-09 the Home Office spent £3.8 million on first class rail travel with its main travel service provider. The Department's spend on all travel 2008-09, not including expenditure incurred by its agencies, was £14.6 million. The cost of travel for previous financial years cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.
	All Home Office expenditure on rail travel conforms to the principles of regularity, propriety and value for money, and any other guidance as applicable contained within Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity  Propriety.

Departmental Travel

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on  (a) train travel,  (b) hotels and  (c) restaurant meals for (i) Ministers and (ii) staff in his Department in each of the last five years.

Phil Woolas: Information required to answer this question could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Details of business expenses and hospitality received by departmental senior officials for the quarter 1 April to 30 June 2009 can be viewed at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/annual-reports-strategy
	The Cabinet Office annual list of overseas travel over £500 undertaken by Ministers for 2008-09 was published on 16 July and can be viewed at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/travel_gifts.aspx
	Travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Servant Management Code respectively. All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with the principles set out in Managing Public Money.

Disadvantaged People

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the purpose of the Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion pilot is; how much funding under the pilot has been  (a) distributed to and  (b) spent by each local authority in each year since the pilot began; and how much such funding he expects to be (i) distributed and (ii) spent in the next two years.

Shahid Malik: The ACE Programme is a three-year, £6 million fund designed to test new approaches to tacking chronic social exclusion among the most marginalised people in society.
	12 pilot projects have been directly funded across England. They are testing out ways to improve outcomes for adults with chaotic lives and multiple needs through developing new types of intervention and changing local service provision. They are led by voluntary organisations, working in partnership with other local agencies.
	The funding breakdown is as follows:
	
		
			  Funding (£) 
			  Pilot location  Pilot organisation  September 2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11  Total 
			 Newcastle Tyneside Cyrenians 107,061 189,673 0 0 296,734 
			 Luton NOAH 87,194 189,478 102,280 0 378,952 
			 Lambeth and Southwark Thamesreach 110,379 222,390 225,654 113,642 672,065 
			 Islington Forensic Therapies 87,500 175,000 175,000 87,500 525,000 
			 Merton South West London 94,500 189,000 189,000 94,500 567,000 
			 Lambeth St. Mungo's 81,898 177,808 208,395 112,483 580,584 
			 Chatham, Kent MCCH 88,667 159,833 159,833 82,667 491,000 
			 Bolton Turning Point 92,915 214,214 147,846 0 454,975 
			 Milton Keynes RDA Milton Keynes 89,000 178,000 178,000 89,000 534,000 
			 Halifax Calderdale Women's Centre 96,276 177,659 196,936 95,434 566,305 
			 Manchester and Durham After Adoption 52,874 85,308 90,603 38,594 267,379 
			 Bristol Fairbridge 60,000 112,745 112,954 55,372 341,071 
			  Total 1,048,264 2,071,108 1,786,501 769,192 5,675,065

Disadvantaged People

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of progress made under the Adults Facing Chronic Exclusion pilot to date; to what areas of expenditure funding under the pilot is available; what estimate he has made of the number of people supported under the pilot in each year since its establishment; and what forecast he has made of the equivalent number in each of the next two years.

Shahid Malik: Assessment of the progress made by the Adults facing Chronic Exclusion pilots is being measured through the ACE national evaluation, which is being undertaken by Matrix Consultants. The evaluation aims to assess the project process, its impact on outcomes for both service users and services, and the cost effectiveness of the interventions.
	The ACE programme is spent on services which achieve one or more of the following:
	Simplifying the complexities associated with several statutory services working collaboratively (Housing, benefits, health and criminal justice system) to offer co-ordinated support to someone with multiple needs.
	Offering practical help to people to access several social services at one time
	Helping people to negotiate difficult times in their lives such as leaving prison, leaving care and fleeing domestic violence
	The pilots work with approximately 1,000 people per year.

Drug Seizures: London Airports

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much cocaine has been seized at  (a) Gatwick and  (b) Heathrow airport in each month since April 2009.

Phil Woolas: From April 2009 until the end of September 2009, a total of 496.51 kilos of cocaine were seized by UK Border Agency officers working in the Border Force south region, which includes all ports along the south coast and Gatwick airport. During the same period, a total of 234.07 kilos of cocaine were seized by UK Border Agency officers in the Heathrow region.
	The following table provides a monthly breakdown of these seizures.
	
		
			  Cocaine seizures 
			  Quantity (kilos) 
			   Year to date  April  May  June  July  August  September 
			 South region 496.51 59.46 79.58 72.82 135.35 26.25 123.05 
			 Heathrow region 234.07 30.86 46.54 48.69 21.40 44.34 42.24 
		
	
	The above data have been extracted from locally-collated management information. They are provisional and therefore may be subject to change.

Entry Clearances

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken by the UK Border Agency was from the receipt of an application from a European national for permanent residence to the determination of a case in the latest period for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: In the current operational year to date the average time taken to determine an application for permanent residence submitted by a European national is 7.3 months from the date of receipt.

Entry Clearances

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what target his Department has set for the average length of time for the UK Border Agency to determine applications for leave to remain under the seven years child concession.

Phil Woolas: The UK Border Agency considers each case on its own individual merits and as such the length of time taken to consider an application under the seven years child concession will vary. Therefore we are unable to provide a specific time frame for considering these applications. However, all remaining applications made under the seven year child concession will be considered by the UK Border Agency by spring 2010.

Entry Clearances: Appeals

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long on average it took for a visa to be issued following a successful appeal against a visa refusal in the last three months.

Phil Woolas: It takes approximately six weeks for the decision of the AIT to be notified to visa sections overseas, including time taken for the UK Border Agency to decide whether to appeal against the decision. The visa section will then contact the appellant within three weeks, to request return of the passport. Once this is obtained, further checks may be carried out to ensure there has not been a change of circumstances since the decision. The visa is then issued. The visa section aims to complete the further processing as soon as possible but this will depend on the speed with which the passport is returned and the number of checks that need to be carried out. It is too early to give details on the last three months.

Offenders: Mentally Ill

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people arrested were deemed to have mental health problems in the latest period for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The information requested on arrests is not collected centrally.
	The arrests collection held by the Home Office covers arrests for recorded crime (notifiable offences) only, broken down at a main offence group level, covering categories such as violence against the person and robbery. Information on the mental health of persons arrested does not form a part of the collection.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serving  (a) police officers and  (b) police community support officers were arrested for (i) drug-related offences, (i) offences related to possession of a knife, (iii) offences related to possession of a gun and (iv) theft in the last 12 months.

David Hanson: The Home Office does not hold this information.

Police Stations

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many police stations there were in each police force area in  (a) each of the last five years and  (b) each of the last 12 months, excluding mobile police stations; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many police stations were  (a) opened and  (b) closed in each police force area in (i) each of the last five years and (ii) each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of offences under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000; if he will commission research into the efficacy of the legislation; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: Information showing the number of persons found guilty at all courts for offences under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ('RIPA') in England and Wales from 2000 to 2007 is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Persons found guilty at all courts of offences under RIPA in England and Wales 
			  Offence  Statute  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Unlawful interception of a postal, public or private telecommunications system Sections 1(1), (2), (7) - - 1 3 4 1 - - 
			 Failure to give effect to an interception warrant Sections 11(4), (7) - - - - 1 - - - 
			 Unlawful disclosure of details of interception warrant Sections 19(4) - - - - - - - 1 
			 Failure to disclose key to protected information Section 53 - - - - - - - - 
			 Disclose details of a S49 notice Section 54 - - - - - - - 1 
			 Total  - - 1 3 5 1 - 2 
		
	
	These are from the official Ministry of Justice statistics. Figures for 2008 are due to be published at the end of January 2010. The encryption provisions of RIPA came into force on 1 October 2007 and these figures are therefore not yet reflected in the table. Some information is available in the Chief Surveillance Commissioner's report for 2008-09 which shows there were two s53 convictions for failing to disclose the key to protected information.
	The Government are satisfied that offences set in RIPA are appropriate and that the legislation is being used effectively.

Roads: Accidents

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 17 June 2009,  Official Report, columns 295-6W, on road accidents, what the estimated cost in police time of dealing with road closures due to road traffic accidents on  (a) motorways and  (b) trunk roads in each police force area in the South West was (i) from July to December 2005, (ii) in 2006, (iii) in 2007, (iv) in 2008 and (v) in 2009 to date.

Alan Campbell: This information is not collected centrally.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits each of the Ministers in his Department has made to Afghanistan in each of the last 12 months.

Bob Ainsworth: The dates of both my and my predecessors' visits to Afghanistan in the last 12 months, and those of Ministers in my Department are detailed as follows. The Minister for International Defence and Security and Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition Reform have not visited Afghanistan in the last 12 months.
	 Secretary of State for Defence-John Hutton
	18 to 23 October 2008: Iraq and Afghanistan
	18 to 21 January 2009: Afghanistan and Pakistan
	 S ecretary of State for Defence- Bob Ainsworth
	26 to 30 June 2009: Afghanistan
	2 to 7 October 2009: Afghanistan and Pakistan
	 Minister for Veterans
	4 to 8 February 2009: Afghanistan
	 Minister for Defence Equipment and Support
	5 to 8 January 2009: Afghanistan
	10 to 12 August 2009: Afghanistan
	 Minister for the Armed Forces
	21 to 24 December 2008: Afghanistan
	26 to 30 July 2009: Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel have been injured in Afghanistan in the last 18 months.

Kevan Jones: Between 1 March 2008 and 15 September 2009 (the latest date for which validated data are held) there have been 95 naval service personnel injured in Afghanistan, of which 15 were from the Royal Navy and 80 were from the Royal Marines. Injury can either be as a result of battle (wounded in action) or non battle (operational accidents).

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK armed forces rounds of ammunition of each type have been  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in Afghanistan in each month since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Air Force personnel have been injured in Afghanistan in the last 18 months.

Kevan Jones: Between 1 March 2008 and 1 September 2009 (the latest date for which validated data is held) there have been 65 RAF personnel injured in Afghanistan. Injury can either be as a result of battle (wounded in action) or non-battle (operational accidents).

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK weapons of each type have been  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in Afghanistan in each month since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: Information on lost and stolen UK weapons in Afghanistan is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Individual units record their weapon losses but information is not aggregated centrally.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving armed forces personnel are awaiting  (a) reconsideration of a decision on their claim under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and  (b) an appeal hearing before the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

Kevan Jones: As at 16 October 2009 there were 15 serving armed forces personnel who had registered for a reconsideration prior to 1 July 2009 (the latest date for which validated data are available) and are awaiting an outcome under the armed forces compensation scheme (AFCS).
	As at 16 October 2009 there were 125 serving armed forces personnel who had registered an appeal prior to 1 July 2009 (the latest date for which validated data are available) and are awaiting an appeal hearing before the First Tier Tribunal (formerly the Pension Appeal Tribunal) under the AFCS.

Armed Forces: Cadets

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much will be spent on pay for adult instructors in the cadet force in the next six months.

Kevan Jones: Details of the remaining budget for 2009-10 paid days training (PDT) for adult instructors in each of the three services cadet forces and their respective combined cadet forces (CCF), are provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Cadet force and CCF  Remaining PDT budget (£ million) 
			 Army Cadet Force and CCF (Army) 1.3 
			 Air Cadet Organisation and CCF (RAF) 2.0 
			 Navy Command Cadets 0.36

Armed Forces: Drugs

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many drug tests for each class of drugs on  (a) Army,  (b) Navy and  (c) RAF personnel from each regiment produced positive results in each quarter since January 2008.

Kevan Jones: The following tables reflect the results of drug tests in the armed forces since January 2008. A breakdown of the Army figures by regiment could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Royal Navy 
			Number of positive results 
			   Total number of tests  Class A  Class B  Class C 
			  2008 
			 1 January to 31 March 3,114 15 0 7 
			 1 April to 30 June 3,404 8 0 6 
			 1 July to 30 September 3,239 25 0 4 
			 1 September to 31 December 3,026 14 0 2 
			  
			  2009 
			 1 January to 31 March 2,779 5 3 1 
			 1 April to 30 June 3,879 5 5 0 
			 1 July to 31 July 1,829 3 5 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Army 
			Number of positive results 
			   Total number of tests  Class A  Class B  Class C 
			  2008 
			 1 January to 31 March 19,885 127 5 87 
			 1 April to 30 June 24,787 199 3 96 
			 1 July to 30 September 19,978 128 4 69 
			 1 September to 31 December 32,652 168 3 111 
			  
			  2009 
			 1 January to 31 March 25,045 90 40 33 
			 1 April to 30 June 26,932 83 88 10 
			 1 July to 31 July 10,540 16 28 5 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Air Force 
			Number of positive results 
			   Total number of tests  Class A  Class B  Class C 
			  2008 
			 1 January to 31 March 3,310 2 0 2 
			 1 April to 30 June 2,436 4 0 7 
			 1 July to 30 September 3,477 2 3 4 
			 1 September to 31 December 4,458 6 0 6 
			  
			  2009 
			 1 January to 31 March 2,742 3 0 0 
			 1 April to 30 June 3,386 0 0 2 
			 1 July to 31 July 804 0 0 0 
			  Notes: 1. A single test sample may contain more than one class of drug; the sum of positive test results for class A, B and C drugs may therefore be greater than the overall number of positive results. 2. Cannabis was re-classified from class C to class B in January 2009 and is therefore included in the positive results in whichever class the drug was considered in at the time the test was taken.

Armed Forces: Foreigners

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many citizens from  (a) British Overseas Territories and  (b) Crown Dependencies are serving in the British armed forces.

Kevan Jones: As at 1 September 2009, the number of UK regular armed forces personnel from British Overseas Territories was 390. This figure includes 40 people who recorded their nationality on the joint personnel administration (JPA) system as 'British Hong Kong'.
	Since the introduction of JPA, we cannot identify those from Crown dependencies.
	Due to ongoing validation of data from the JPA system, these statistics are provisional and subject to review.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning were reported as occurring in services accommodation in each of the last five years.

Kevan Jones: There have regrettably been three substantiated cases of carbon monoxide leaks, all in 2007. Immediate action was taken in all three cases and in two cases occupants required medical attention.
	This Department takes the health and safety of all occupants of service family accommodation seriously and has a legal duty to investigate all suspected reports of carbon monoxide, test any suspect appliances and conduct annual gas safety inspections.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many engineers are contracted by Modern Housing Solutions to undertake work on service accommodation; and at what cost.

Kevan Jones: Given changes in works undertaken, it is not possible to provide a meaningful figure for the number of engineers contracted at any particular time. The numbers vary depending on the work being undertaken, and seasonal variations.

Armed Forces: Pay

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) overpayments and  (b) underpayments of salary there were to armed forces personnel in each month since January 2008; and of what total amount in each case.

Kevan Jones: Detailed information about the number of armed forces personnel over and underpaid since January 2008 is not held because the joint personnel administration system used is now in steady state.
	The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency's performance against its key targets for pay accuracy can, however, be found in its annual report and accounts, and copies of these can be found in the Library of the House. Details are set out as follows.
	For financial year 2007-08, 99.49 per cent. of personnel were paid accurately with 99.9 per cent. being paid by the due date.
	During financial year 2008-09, 97.9 per cent. of personnel were paid accurately with 99.9 per cent. being paid by the due date.
	Delays or errors in individual payments can also occur as the result of late or incorrect inputs by individuals or unit human resource staff. We do not hold data on this.

Departmental Information Officers

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many press officers his Department has.

Kevan Jones: Currently, there are 110 press officers employed across the Ministry of Defence (as recorded in the Central Office of Information's White Book). This includes civilian and military staff across the Department (including within single services) and is defined as those who directly interface with national or regional media on news issues, and in direct support of operations.

Departmental Pay

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff received annual remuneration, including benefits, of £100,000 or more in the last year for which figures are available.

Kevan Jones: For financial year 2008-09 the MOD had 95 employees, of these, three have left MOD employment, whose gross earnings paid through payroll for the year exceeded £100,000.

Departmental Training

John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many external training courses were attended by staff of his Department in the last 12 months; and what the cost was of each course.

Kevan Jones: MOD is dedicated to developing its staff and provides training and development opportunities to help employees realise their full potential and support the achievement of business objectives.
	External training costs are delegated to lower level budgets and as such, the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

European Fighter Aircraft

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Typhoon aircraft are expected to be mothballed after delivery to the Royal Air Force.

Kevan Jones: The term 'mothballing' has been taken to mean a serviceable aircraft in long-term storage and subject only to Anti-Deterioration Maintenance. There are no current plans to mothball Typhoon aircraft after delivery to the Royal Air Force.

General Richard Dannatt

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his consent was sought for substantive discussions between General Richard Dannatt and the right hon. Member for Witney while the General was a serving officer.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 19 October 2009
	 No such consent was sought.

Government Communications

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department  (a) are classified as Government communicators and  (b) have access to the Government Communications Network.

Kevan Jones: Our records indicate that the Ministry of Defence has 508 staff classified as Government communicators, all of whom have access to the Government Communications Network for their professional development. This figure is split approximately 35 per cent. service and 65 per cent civilian employees. These staff principally perform communications roles and include: press officers, media, marketing, internal comms, e-media, stakeholder communications, media training, events, visits, branding, design, publications, our deployable military media operations capability, strategy and planning.

Iraq and Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving soldiers have injuries sustained during operations in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan.

Kevan Jones: holding answer 16 October 2009
	For the period 1 January 2003 to 15 September 2009 (the latest date for which casualty data is available) 1,521 soldiers (Army personnel only) who are currently serving sustained injuries on operations in Iraq.
	For the period 7 October 2001 to 15 September 2009 (the latest date for which casualty data is available) 841 soldiers (Army personnel only) who are currently serving sustained injuries on operations in Afghanistan.
	Please note that Service personnel may have deployed to both theatres of operation and therefore it is possible for an individual to have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan on separate occasions. Any such individual will have been counted once in both datasets.
	The information supplied in this answer is a subset of that published on the MOD website on a fortnightly basis.

Mediterranean Region: Navy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel have taken part in Operation Active Endeavour in the last two years.

Kevan Jones: The number of Royal Navy personnel who have taken part in Operation Active Endeavour in the last two years is approximately 3,600.

Military Aircraft

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to improving helicopter support to front line services by  (a) providing short refresher courses to recently retired personnel,  (b) providing short refresher courses to crews serving in ground appointments,  (c) taking flying-current crews from flying training appointments and  (d) providing financial retention incentives to air crew.

Kevan Jones: The level of aircrew manning is currently sufficient to meet the tasks that they are required to undertake.
	Aircrew who rejoin the services following retirement already undergo refresher training before taking up flying appointments, as do flying crew returning from non-flying assignments.
	The proper distribution of flying crews between the flying training system and front line units is reviewed regularly. It is, of course, vital that the flying training system remains sufficiently manned to maintain the throughput of crews onto the frontline.
	On financial retention incentives, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 October 2009,  Official Report, column 430W, to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell).

Military Attachés

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to which UK embassies in the Middle East a defence attaché is deployed.

Kevan Jones: There is a defence attaché deployed to the following UK embassies in the middle east:
	Bahrain
	Iraq
	Kuwait
	Oman
	Qatar
	Saudi Arabia
	United Arab Emirates
	Yemen.

Parachute Regiment: Manpower

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members there are of the Parachute Regiment; and how many of them are combat available in the parachute role.

Kevan Jones: As at 19 October 2009, there are a total of 1,076 members of the Parachute Regiment of which 676 are combat available in the parachute role.
	The figures above are for the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment and, include both officers and soldiers.
	Combat available has been interpreted as personnel who are able to be deployed and are ready to parachute. This figure therefore excludes recruits arriving in the Battalion who have not yet completed their parachute course, those who are not jump trained and who are not fully effective to deploy.
	I am withholding the information for 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the decision to reduce Territorial Army (TA) training on  (a) the morale of members of the TA,  (b) the ability of the TA to support the regular Army on operations and  (c) retention rates in the TA.

Bill Rammell: This year is very challenging in resource terms, and success in Afghanistan must take priority. As such, the Army has directed that the regular forces and the reserves must focus available resources on supporting the ongoing campaign in Afghanistan, which means reducing activity levels elsewhere. All TA activity not directly in support of operations will therefore be stopped or reduced for the remainder of this financial year. This does not affect TA soldiers who have been or will be earmarked for deployment to Afghanistan. These individuals are getting and will continue to get the training that the Army considers necessary to prepare them for their deployment.
	The Army recognises the potential impact on the morale of those whose opportunities to train will be reduced, and the possible consequent impact on TA retention. However, the current fiscal climate requires that we direct resources where they are most needed, and our priority remains the support of current operations, where the TA continues to make a vital contribution.

Territorial Army

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army reservists live in  (a) Pembrokeshire and  (b) Wales.

Kevan Jones: Data on the UK residential location of members of the Territorial Army are not held centrally in databases of individual records, and it is therefore not possible to provide figures for the numbers of Territorial Army reservists living in Pembrokeshire or Wales.

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department plans to reduce levels of training of Territorial Army recruits.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 15 October 2009
	This year is very challenging in resource terms, and success in Afghanistan must take priority. As such, the Army has directed that the regular forces and the reserves must focus available resources on supporting the ongoing campaign in Afghanistan, which means reducing activity levels elsewhere. All TA activity not directly in support of operations will therefore be stopped or reduced for the remainder of this financial year. This does not affect TA soldiers who have been or will be earmarked for deployment to Afghanistan. Nor does it affect initial training for Territorial Army recruits.

JUSTICE

Criminal Justice System

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people in each age group entered the criminal justice system for the first time in each year since 1997.

Claire Ward: The requested figures are shown in the following table. Figures before 2000 have not been included as the available data are known to be incomplete before that date.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer (PNC), which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	
		
			  First time entrants( 1)  to the criminal justice system, England and Wales, by age group, 2000-01 to 2008-09 
			  Number of offenders 
			   Age group  
			   10-14  15-17  18-20  21-24  25-29  30-39  40-49  50 and over  Total 
			 2000-01 41,600 48,200 46,500 33,200 27,600 35,900 20,900 16,400 270,500 
			 2001-02 40,600 48,400 43,900 34,000 27,400 37,300 22,000 16,600 270,100 
			 2002-03 36,100 47,200 42,800 36,700 28,700 39,800 23,300 17,800 272,500 
			 2003-04 38,300 49,800 42,800 38,300 29,100 42,000 25,400 18,800 284,600 
			 2004-05 42,900 52,800 39,600 35,800 29,200 42,800 26,800 19,900 289,800 
			 2005-06 48,700 58,400 42,500 39,600 33,300 47,600 31,200 22,500 323,800 
			 2006-07 50,200 59,600 42,900 39,700 34,400 48,100 32,200 23,000 330,200 
			 2007-08 44,400 56,000 42,000 39,300 34,700 47,500 32,900 24,000 320,700 
			 2008-09(2) n/a n/a 38,000 36,300 33,100 43,600 30,300 22,700 n/a 
			 (1) An offender is considered to be a first time entrant to the criminal justice system on the first occasion they receive either a conviction, a caution, a reprimand or a final warning as recorded on the police national computer.  (2) Figures for juvenile first time entrants for 2008-09 for England will be published in November by the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Cybercrime

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he plans to take to prevent people in prison issuing threats through the internet.

Maria Eagle: Prisoners are allowed only supervised access to the internet for educational purposes and this is limited to specific learning sites.
	Prisons take a variety of measures to prevent unauthorised access to the internet by prisoners which will be mainly through use of illegally acquired mobile phones. The Government are determined to address the risks that mobile phones in prison present to security and to the safety of the public. This is a significant challenge given the advances in technology and our commitment to running decent and effective regimes. We have, though, made significant progress in implementing a strategy to tackle illicit mobile phones. This includes: minimising the number of mobile phones entering prisons; finding mobile phones that are smuggled into prisons; disrupting mobile phones that cannot be found.
	In addition, the National Offender Management Service has an agreement with one of the leading internet social networking sites to ensure that any inappropriate material that may be posted by prisoners is removed as soon as it can be identified.

Employment and Support Allowance: Appeals

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how long on average it has taken for appeals against refusal of employment and support allowance to be heard in the last 12 months.

Bridget Prentice: The first tier tribunal-social security and child support target is to bring 75 per cent. of appeals to hearing within 14 weeks of receipt. It has taken an average of 10.22 weeks for appeals against the refusal of employment and support allowance to be heard during the period 1 October 2008 and 30 September 2009. This time is calculated from receipt of the appeal by the Tribunals Service to hearing by the first tier tribunal-social security and child support. The Tribunals Service is unable to provide information on the length of time between the appeal being lodged with the Department for Work and Pensions and it being submitted to the Tribunals Service.

General Elections

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proportion of costs to local authorities of administrating a general election poll are refunded by central Government grant.

Michael Wills: Returning officers are entitled to recover their charges in respect of services rendered or expenses incurred at parliamentary elections if they were necessarily rendered or incurred for the efficient and effective conduct of the election and they do not exceed the overall maximum recoverable amount specified in an Order made by the Secretary of State. Provision is made for this purpose from the consolidated fund.

Homicide

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people have pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people who had pleaded guilty to a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility were being held in secure accommodation at each location on the latest date for which figures are available.

Claire Ward: The number of persons who pleaded guilty at the Crown court and were sentenced for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, in England and Wales, from 2003 to 2007 (latest available) is shown in the following table. These figures include offenders who were given an unrestricted hospital order, a restricted hospital order or an immediate custodial sentence.
	The statistics given relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. For example, when a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Data for 2008 are planned for publication at the end of January 2010.
	
		
			  Persons who pleaded guilty and sentenced at the Crown court for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, England and Wales, 2003 to 2007( 1, 2) 
			  Offence: Manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility 
			  Statute: Homicide Act 1957, section 2 
			 Sentence breakdown 
			   Pleaded guilty  Total sentenced  Unrestricted hospital order( 3)  Restricted hospital order( 4)  Immediate custody  Otherwise dealt with 
			 2003 19 19 9 1 9 - 
			 2004 19 19 4 4 8 3 
			 2005 19 19 3 6 8 2 
			 2006 10 10 - 7 2 1 
			 2007 19 19 1 12 6 - 
			 (1) The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.  (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (3) Unrestricted hospital order, under the Mental Health Act 1983, section 37(1).  (4) Restricted hospital order, under Mental health Act 1983, section 41.   Source:  Evidence and Analysis Unit-Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Land: Registration

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what consideration he has given to the expansion of the programme of compulsory land registration; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The creation of a comprehensive land register for England and Wales is one of Land Registry's strategic objectives. Over 70 per cent. of England and Wales, including most urban land, is now registered in about 21 million registered titles. The registered area has increased from 45 per cent. in 2004 when data on geographic coverage first became available. This growth is principally attributable to Land Registry's strategy of persuading landowners of the benefits of voluntarily first registration.
	First registration of unregistered land is compulsory after certain specific trigger events, including, a sale, a first mortgage or a transfer on death. Two new trigger events, the appointment of a new trustee and the partition of land among trust beneficiaries, were added by the Land Registration Act 2002 (Amendment) Order 2008, which came into force on 6 April 2009. There are no plans at present to introduce any additional triggers.
	Other potential trigger events and methods of compulsion were examined as part of the preparatory work for the 2008 Order but at that time were considered impracticable, due to their complexity, or inappropriate, because of the nature of the sanctions that would be required.

Legal Aid

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for legal aid from residents of  (a) Devon,  (b) East Devon constituency and  (c) England there have been in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: Applications for civil legal aid advice are made to individual providers, and we record the number of instances of advice provided, rather than the number of applications made. Applications for civil legal aid representation are made to the Legal Services Commission. Not all applications are granted. The applications received for representation for the last five years in the requested areas is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number 
			   East Devon  Devon  England 
			 2004-05 327 3,450 180,591 
			 2005-06 310 3,357 182,187 
			 2006-07 277 3,019 177,309 
			 2007-08 239 2,690 161,206 
			 2008-09 218 2,899 171,492

Legal Aid

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many applications for legal aid there have been from residents of  (a) Derbyshire,  (b) Chesterfield constituency and  (c) England in each of the last five years.

Bridget Prentice: Applications for civil legal aid advice are made to individual providers, and we record the number of instances of advice provided, rather than the number of applications made. Applications for civil legal aid representation are made to the Legal Services Commission. Not all applications are granted. The applications received for representation for the last five years in the requested areas is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial years  Chesterfield  Derbyshire  England 
			 2004-05 524 2,597 180,591 
			 2005-06 607 2,930 182,187 
			 2006-07 613 2,773 177,309 
			 2007-08 618 2,564 161,206 
			 2008-09 587 2,546 171,492

Legal Aid: Eligibility

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what criteria are used to determine eligibility for legal aid.

Bridget Prentice: There are different eligibility criteria for civil and criminal legal aid:
	Eligibility for legal aid in civil matters depends on the client satisfying the relevant financial eligibility criteria, and the case must pass a merits test and be within the scope of the scheme. Those in receipt of income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, guarantee state pension credit or income related employment support allowance automatically qualify financially for legal aid. Otherwise, they can obtain 'free' or non-contributory assistance, if they have a gross monthly income of less than £2,657, a monthly disposable income below £315 and disposable capital of £3,000 or less. If their monthly disposable income is between £316 and £733, or disposable capital between £3,000 and £8,000, they will be offered funding on the basis that they agree to pay contributions towards their legal costs. On 6 April 2009 we increased the financial eligibility limits for civil legal aid by 5 per cent. to their current level.
	The merits test considers whether legal aid applicants have reasonable grounds for taking, defending or being a party to proceedings, and that it is reasonable, in the particular circumstances of the case, for legal aid to be granted.
	Eligibility for legal aid in criminal trials depends on the defendant satisfying the 'Interests of Justice' test and the relevant financial eligibility criteria. Suspects being held at the police station as part of a criminal investigation are automatically entitled to legal advice, regardless of income; this may be provided on a 'face to face' basis under the police station duty solicitor scheme, or for less serious offences, via a national telephone helpline.
	The income-based means test for defendants appearing before the magistrates court weights the applicant's gross annual income to reflect their family and household circumstances. If an applicant's weighted gross annual income exceeds £22,325, they are financially ineligible for a grant of representation; if it is £12,475 or less, they are financially eligible for a grant of representation. All applicants in receipt of income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, or the guaranteed state pension credit are automatically deemed financially eligible, as are applicants under the age of 18.
	For those applicants whose adjusted gross annual incomes fall between the two thresholds, a more detailed assessment of their income is carried out. After certain deductions are made, if the applicant's disposable income does not exceed £3,398, they will be financially eligible under the new scheme.

Magistrates Courts: Closures

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many magistrates courts have been closed in  (a) rural and  (b) non-rural areas in each year since 1997.

Bridget Prentice: The following table shows details of the magistrates court closures (broken down into  (a) rural and  (b) non-rural areas) which have taken place since 1997.
	
		
			  Number of magistrates courts closed in each year since 1997( 1) 
			   Rural 75  Rural 50  Significant rural  Other urban  Large urban  Major urban  Total number of courts closed 
			 1997 2 4 3 3 1 8 21 
			 1998 12 4 1 3 2 3 25 
			 1999 1 0 1 2 1 2 7 
			 2000 8 1 0 2 0 2 13 
			 2001 12 7 3 3 3 2 30 
			 2002 5 0 2 0 0 0 7 
			 2003 9 2 1 1 0 0 13 
			 2004 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 
			 2005 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2006 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 
			 2007 1 2 0 0 0 1 4 
			 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			   Rural 80( 2)  Rural 50  Significant rural  Other urban  Large urban  Major urban  Total number of courts closed 
			 2009 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 
			 (1) The rural constituency classification (introduced by the Rural Evidence Research Centre on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2006) has been used to define whether court closures took place in rural/urban areas. The classification divides constituencies into the following six categories: Rural 75: Over 75 per cent. of the population live in rural settlements (including 207 large market towns) Rural 50: Over 50 per cent. of the population live in rural settlements (including 207 large market towns) Significant rural: More than 37,000 or between 26 per cent. and 50 per cent. of the population live in rural settlements. Other urban: Fewer than 37,000 or less than 26 per cent. of the population live in rural settlements; Large urban: A minimum of 50,000 or 50 per cent. of the population live in a large urban area; Major urban: A minimum of 100,000 or 50 per cent. of the population live in a major urban area (i.e. over 750,000 of the population). (2) The rural constituency classification (introduced by the Rural Evidence Research Centre on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) changed in April 2009 and one rural classification has changed from rural 75 to rural 80

Offenders: Mental Health

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate his Department has made of the number of offenders subject to a custodial sentence who have previously been given a conditional discharge; and what proportion of those offenders have been diagnosed with mental health problems.

Claire Ward: Out of 94,600 sentences of immediate custody in England and Wales in 2007, in the latest year for which figure are available, 52,200 offenders (55 per cent.) had on at least one previous sentencing occasion received a conditional discharge. Information about the mental health of these offenders is not available.
	These figures have been drawn from the police's administrative IT system, the police national computer (PNC), which, as with any large scale recording system, is subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the police.
	The figures represent a further breakdown of the criminal history statistics published in chapter 6 of Sentencing Statistics 2007 which can be found at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/sentencingannual.htm

Prisoners: Location

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners were held in prisons more than 50 miles from normal place of residence at the latest date for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: As of 8 May 2009, there were 32,126 prisoners held in prisons more than 50 miles from their home area.
	This figure includes male and female prisoners, those sentenced and on remand and adults, young offenders and juveniles.
	All prisoners are asked for details of their home address on first reception to prison and on discharge from prison. Approximately 60 per cent. of prisoners are shown to have given a recognised address.
	If no address is given, various proxies are used to determine distance from home, including next-of-kin address and committal court address.

Prisons: Parole Board for England and Wales

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners serving sentences of life imprisonment at HMP Standford Hill are waiting for an oral parole board hearing.

Bridget Prentice: There are four prisoners serving sentences of life imprisonment at HMP Standford Hill who are waiting for an oral parole board hearing.

Prisons: Politics

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what recent steps he has taken to tackle radicalisation in prisons; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such measures;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of radicalisation in prisons; and what evidence was used in making such assessments.

Jack Straw: There is a range of continuing activity better to reduce the risks associated with violent extremism and radicalisation in prisons, as part of the wider programme of work being delivered by the National Offender Management Service to deal with these issues across prisons and probation services. Recent steps include: commencing the roll out of an awareness raising package across all prisons in England and Wales, building on the series of briefings, written material and training events that have already been delivered at both national and local level; strengthening arrangements to collect and share intelligence; and continuing to build upon a detail programme of research, trial and evaluations to develop intervention approaches for extremist offenders. This activity contributes directly to the Prevent objective in the Government's Contest strategy to reduce the risk of people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism.
	Systematic assessments of trends in the levels of violent extremism and radicalisation in prisons, based on intelligence gathering and analysis undertaken by prison staff and police, are undertaken on a regular basis. The nature and extent of the threat, and the effectiveness of measures to manage the associated risks are assessed as part of public service agreement 26
	to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests overseas from international terrorism
	which is classified and not reported on publicly.

Robbery: Young Offenders

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people aged  (a) 10 to 12,  (b) 13 to 15,  (c) 16 to 17,  (d) 18 to 20 and  (e) 21 or more years old in each police force area were convicted of robbery in each year since 1997.

Claire Ward: Information showing the number of persons found guilty of robbery, broken down by age and force, England and Wales, from 1997 to 2007 (latest available) has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Data for 2008 are planned for publication at the end of January 2010.

Sexual Offences: Sentencing

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been given indefinite sentences for sexual offences committed when they were under the age of 18 years in each year since 2000.

Claire Ward: The available information is shown in the following table. The table relates to the age at sentence as the age at offence is not available centrally.
	
		
			  Number of indeterminate sentences for sexual offences, given to offenders aged under 18, since 2000 
			   All indeterminate( 1) 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 0 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 1 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 4 
			 2006 12 
			 2007 10 
			 (1) Detention for public protection and life sentences  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: OMS Analytical Services, Ministry of Justice 
		
	
	The sentence of detention for public protection for serious offences committed by those under 18 was introduced in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and was commenced for offences committed on or after 4 April 2005. The data are presented on the principal offence basis: where an offender has been sentenced for more than one offence the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty was imposed; where the same sentence has been imposed for more than one offence the principal offence is the one for which the statutory maximum is most severe.

Sexual Offences: Young Offenders

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Schedule 1 offenders there are; and how many of them committed the relevant offence when under the age of 18-years.

Maria Eagle: The term Schedule 1 offenders originates from the list of offences contained in Schedule 1 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Following that Act, the term was informally extended to a range of offences in subsequent Acts, resulting in different definitions between Agencies. To resolve this, the Home Office issued guidance in 2005 and officially discontinued the term.
	This information is therefore unavailable in the format requested.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Cayman Islands: Hurricanes and Tornadoes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Government has spent on post-hurricane reconstruction efforts in the Cayman Islands since September 2008.

Michael Foster: The Government of the Cayman Islands did not request external assistance for the emergency period or for reconstruction. The United Kingdom has provided no further support to the emergency assistance provided by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Wave Ruler and support to a study on the impacts of the hurricane by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC).
	The Department for International Development is in regular contact with the Cayman Island Government and Governor's Office. Much progress has been made on reconstruction; housing repair is well under way, hotels have re-opened and all Government buildings, schools and hospitals are now functioning.

Consolidated Contractors Corporation

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what  (a) meetings,  (b) communications and  (c) other contacts Ministers and officials in his Department have had with the Consolidated Contractors Corporation (CCC Group) and its international offshoots in the last five years.

Michael Foster: There have been no formal meetings, communications or other contacts between Ministers of the Department for International Development and the Consolidated Contractors Corporation (CCC Group) and its international offshoots in the last five years. Similarly, our records do not indicate any meetings, communications or contacts with officials.

Departmental Procurement

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of procurement contracts his Department awarded to small businesses in  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08,  (c) 2008-09 and  (d) 2009-10; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Foster: The percentage of procurement contracts let by the Department for International Development (DFID) to small businesses during the requested period cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Developing Countries

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how much his Department plans to spend on social protection programmes in developing countries  (a) bilaterally and  (b) through multilateral institutions in the next three years;
	(2)  how much his Department plans to spend on nutrition-related programmes in developing countries  (a) bilaterally and  (b) through multilateral institutions in the next three years;
	(3)  how much his Department plans to spend in support of maternal, newborn and child health in developing countries  (a) bilaterally and  (b) through multilateral institutions in the next three years.

Michael Foster: Latest information on the Department for International Development's (DFID) aid allocations by programme to 2010-11 were published in its 2009 annual report which is available in the Library of the House and on the DFID website:
	www.dfid.gov.uk
	More detailed allocations are made by individual country programmes, or in the case of core funding to multilateral institutions by those organisations. As such aggregate projections by sector are not available.

Developing Countries: Debt

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps he has taken to help developing countries to reduce their debt.

Gareth Thomas: The UK Government have taken a strong lead on debt relief and are carefully monitoring the effect of the current financial crisis on debt levels of the poorest countries. Recent steps taken include:
	Support to the World Bank and IMF's review of the Debt Sustainability Framework. This is the main instrument for monitoring debt levels and guiding new borrowing and lending, and is used by the Multilateral Development Banks to determine assistance to the poorest countries.
	A call from the Chancellor at this year's IMF spring meetings for a temporary reduction in interest rates to zero for the IMF's concessional lending to low-income countries. This was agreed and will apply until December 2011.
	Many countries are better off today because of international initiatives to reduce debt, in which the UK has played a lead role. Under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiatives, $117 billion (approx £74 billion) of debt relief has been agreed since 2000. 35 out of 40 eligible countries are now receiving debt relief under HIPC, and this year Burundi, Central African Republic and Haiti all completed the process and received irrevocable debt cancellation.

Global Environment Facility: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding the Government have contributed to the Global Environment Facility in each of the last 10 years.

Gareth Thomas: The UK is currently contributing towards the fourth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund. Our contributions are £35 million each year, totalling £140 million across the four years 2007-10.
	Previously, the UK contributed a total of £118 million to the third replenishment period of the GEF Trust Fund, averaging £29.5 million in each of the four years 2003-06. We contributed £85 million towards the second replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund across the four years 1999-02, averaging £21.25 million each year.

Overseas Aid: Internet

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent support his Department has given to developing countries to develop  (a) broadband,  (b) wireless internet and  (c) other internet capabilities.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development has not recently given support to developing countries to develop broadband, wireless and other internet capabilities.

Overseas Territories: Climate Change

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the outcomes of the participation of the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre's Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change project.

Michael Foster: The Enhancing Capacity for Adaptation to Climate Change project is ongoing. Monitoring reports show progress is being made against each of the objectives-establishing climate change focal points and committees, building capacity, developing public education and outreach programmes, developing national strategies, and sharing information.
	Department for International Development officials participated in two of the project's workshops and reported that the project team were well qualified and experienced, there was strong stakeholder engagement, and a high level of awareness of climate change impacts among Government, non-government, business, and other organisations.
	Additional feedback from the territories indicates that they welcome the opportunity to participate in this programme. They acknowledge it is ambitious, but remain committed to delivering the objectives.

Overseas Territories: Nature Conservation

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what outcomes were reached at the conservation conference hosted by the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Conservation Forum held in June.

Michael Foster: The aim of the conference was to bring together representatives from Government, non-governmental organisations, academic, and other organisations working in the UK overseas territories and other small islands to promote co-operation and sharing of information and experiences on solving environmental problems. This will help meet obligations under international environment agreements and UK/Overseas Territories Environment Charters.
	My hon. Friend, the Minister for Marine and Natural Environment, spoke at the conference and announced an additional £1.5 million over the next three years for biodiversity projects in the overseas territories.
	The UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum will submit a final report on the conference shortly.

Pakistan: Internally Displaced Persons

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance his Department has provided to those who were displaced from and are returning to the Swat district of Pakistan.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) has so far provided £22 million for people displaced by the conflict in the North West Frontier Province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. These funds are being used by humanitarian agencies to meet critical needs of people displaced in camps and host communities. This support is providing vital assistance to those who have started to return home through the provision of shelter, protection, water, sanitation, food and medical assistance. The UK is also providing funding through the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office.
	On 14 October the Prime Minister announced a further UK contribution of £10 million for early recovery programmes to help vulnerable communities affected by the conflict to start rebuilding their lives and to support them through the coming winter.

Vietnam: Overseas Aid

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid his Department plans to send to victims of the recent flooding in Vietnam.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) is contributing to relief funding by the European Commission (16 per cent. of this is attributed to DFID). The European Commission has allocated €2 million for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. In Vietnam, the funding is being used to support relief efforts by non-governmental organisations in the affected areas.
	DFID is also supporting strategic programmes aimed at disaster risk reduction in Vietnam. This is implemented through support to the United Nations in Vietnam as well as the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery with the World Bank.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Iran's Nuclear Programme

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent assessment is of the development of Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We remain extremely concerned about Iran's nuclear programme. In August the IAEA Director General reported that Iran had not suspended its enrichment activities contrary to the requirements of five UNSCRs and still refuses to answer questions about studies with a possible military dimension.
	The fact that Iran has been covertly developing an enrichment facility near Qom, in breach of UN and IAEA obligations, casts further doubt on their peaceful intentions.

Afghanistan

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the new UK foreign policy strategy for Afghanistan.

Ivan Lewis: As a top foreign policy priority, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary frequently discusses Afghanistan and Pakistan with his counterparts. Discussions regularly cover the strategy approach announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29 April 2009,  Official Report, column 869. There is broad international agreement on the importance of addressing the situation in both countries, and on the need to seek political solutions alongside military ones.

Trade Unions: Iraq

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on trade union rights in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We have supported, and will continue to do so, the efforts of all Iraqis to build trade unions across the workplace and free from government intervention, the rights to which are enshrined in their constitution. We have made clear to the Iraqi Government our view that the right to form free and fair unions is a fundamental right.

Gaza

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure early consideration by the United Nations of the report of the United Nations fact finding mission on the Gaza conflict.

Ivan Lewis: The report of the UN fact finding mission on the Gaza conflict has already been considered by the UN. It was discussed in an open meeting of the Security Council on 14 October 2009 and by a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on 15 and 16 October 2009. As we made clear in those discussions, while we have concerns about aspects of the report, there are serious issues remaining about both parties' conduct during Operation Cast Lead.

European Parliament

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Government's work with political groups in the European Parliament.

Chris Bryant: Both Ministers and officials continue to engage effectively with the European Parliament at all levels in order to promote UK interests and secure the best outcomes for our citizens. The Government have a strategic plan for this engagement. Since June's European Parliament elections, we have averaged one ministerial visit in each week when the Parliament has been sitting.

Non-proliferation Treaty

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the 2010 non-proliferation treaty review conference.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discusses the 2010 NPT review conference regularly with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Mrs. Clinton said on 11 October 2009 after their most recent meeting that British leadership had been pivotal in the run up to the historic Security Council session on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament chaired by President Barack Obama on 24 September 2009.

West Bank

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United States Administration on the security situation in the West Bank.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton most recently on 11 October 2009. Their conversation focused on the need for all parties to exercise restraint and to calm tensions in Jerusalem, and the need to launch negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The UK and US work together to give strong support to the Palestinian Authority's work to improve the capability of and reform the Palestinian security forces. We commend the Palestinian Authority for the improvements it has made, which have delivered real changes in the lives of many on the West Bank.

EU Budget

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress towards reform of the EU budget; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government remain committed to far-reaching reform of the EU budget refocusing it on jobs and growth; tackling climate change; and, ensuring security, stability and poverty reduction. We look forward to the publication of the European Commission's Budget Review White Paper, which will likely set out recommendations for the future of the budget. The Council will discuss these recommendations in late 2009 and 2010.

Macedonia

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government are providing support to the Government of Macedonia in their application for membership of the European Union.

Chris Bryant: The UK strongly supports Macedonia's EU membership aspirations and welcomes the Commission's recent recommendation to open accession negotiations.
	The Government co-operate with EU partners to encourage the required reforms in Macedonia. Alongside its contribution to financing programmes under the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), the Government are providing bilateral support in 2009-10 of around £890,000.
	UK projects include work designed to improve Macedonia's public administrative capacity, strengthen its Parliament and help fight corruption.

Economic Recovery: EU

James Plaskitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the co-ordination of policy on the EU's economic recovery with other EU member states.

Chris Bryant: My right hon. Friends the Chancellor and Foreign Secretary discuss the co-ordination of the EU's economic recovery regularly in meetings of the Cabinet and the National Economic Council.

Zimbabwe

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the progress of the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe.

Ivan Lewis: The Government of Zimbabwe have made some progress, most notably on the stabilisation of the economy. Progress on political reform has been slower. We continue to urge the Government of Zimbabwe to meet their commitments under the Global Political Agreements; notably to media, electoral, legislative, judicial and security sector reform, and to address the issue of the appointments of the Central Bank Governor, Attorney-General and Provincial Governors.

Bahrain

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest assessment is of the state of relations between the UK and the Government of Bahrain.

Ivan Lewis: The UK has a long-standing and strong relationship with Bahrain. But we are always considering ways in which we can make even stronger our political, defence, cultural and trade relations to mutual benefit.

Children: Kidnapping

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of children abducted from the UK in each of the last five years who are being held in Japan; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: We are aware of the following cases involving British children who have been abducted to Japan in the last five years.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2008-09 4 
			 2007-08 11 
			 2006-07 3 
			 2005-06 3 
			 2004-05 10

Children: Kidnapping

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the Government of Japan to sign the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: I welcomed the Japanese Government's announcement last year that it was considering ratifying the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. We have made frequent representations to the Japanese Government on the issue.
	On 16 October 2009 our ambassador took part with representatives of a number of other embassies in a joint demarche on Japanese Justice Minister Chiba, calling on Japan to accede to the Convention. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary encouraged Japan to sign the Convention when he met the Japanese Foreign Secretary Okada on 22 September 2009. My Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Mandelson also raised this issue with the Japanese Prime Minister on 5 October 2009. Our embassy in Tokyo has been regularly taking joint action together with other embassies, including the Canadian, French, US and Italian embassies.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of  (a) Cyprus,  (b) Greece and  (c) Turkey on cancelling of the annual military exercises conducted in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: Both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leadership announced on 13 October 2009 the cancellation of the Toros and Nikiforos military exercises respectively. The Government applauds this decision which is a positive development and shows what can be achieved through trust and co-operation.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for progress towards a settlement in Cyprus of the policy of the new PASOK Government in Greece on such a settlement; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Chris Bryant: We believe that the new Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) Government in Greece will be supportive of the two leaders' efforts to achieve a settlement. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Cyprus with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on 15 October 2009 and both reiterated their support for the settlement process.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of progress on the negotiations towards a settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Chris Bryant: The leaders of the two communities have shown a strong commitment to the Cyprus talks process. We welcome their recent decision to meet more regularly and urge both leaders to intensify their efforts to ensure this unique opportunity is not missed.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with international partners on the funding of a possible settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government have had no recent discussions with international partners on the funding of a possible settlement. This is an important issue which will need to be addressed as the talks progress.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received of progress in the opening of the Limnitis crossing point in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: We welcome the agreement of the leaders of the two communities to open the Limnitis crossing point and have been following subsequent developments closely. We consider this initiative to be a valuable contribution to the building of mutual trust between the two sides.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the Famagusta Mayors' proposals to restore the historic walls of Famagusta and to conduct a survey of the work required to restore the infrastructure of Varosha; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: We attach importance to the restoration of historic monuments, including the historic walls of Famagusta. We believe that work, both to restore Famagusta and to plan for eventual resettlement of Varosha, would be useful confidence building measures.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on the planned erection and unveiling of a memorial in Northern Cyprus to British people killed in the Cyprus war of independence; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: This is an independent initiative undertaken by the British Cyprus Veterans Association to commemorate the British servicemen who died in the 1950s. The memorial will be unveiled on 8 November 2009.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of recent progress in the remaining phases of the opening of the Ledra Street crossing point in Nicosia; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: We are following this issue closely and stand ready to support the UN's efforts to achieve agreement.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made by the UN committee on missing persons in Cyprus in recovering and identifying remains of missing persons; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The UN committee on missing persons reported that, as of 15 October 2009, the remains of 570 people had been exhumed from different burial sites across the island. Of these, the remains of 179 individuals had been identified and returned to their families, of which 135 were Greek Cypriots and 44 Turkish Cypriots.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grants the UK has given to the UN missing persons committee in Cyprus since its inception; if he will make an assessment of the merits of providing a further grant to support that committee's work; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The UK has donated a total of $159,298 to the UN committee on missing persons since its inception. In August 2009, the European Commission (EC) allocated €2 million in funding to the committee from the EC Aid Regulation for the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. This will provide for half of the yearly needs of the committee for missing persons for the next 24 months. The Government have no plans for further donations.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an estimate of the value of the cessation of the division in Cyprus in terms of  (a) gross domestic product for the island and  (b) income per capita; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government have funded independent research by the International Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) into the economic benefits of a solution. Their report, The Day After, found that Cypriots stand to gain an additional €1.8 billion per year in recurring benefits from a solution to the Cyprus problem. This translates into approximately €5,500 for every family every year. These were deliberately conservative estimates.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely consequences of the withdrawal of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus in the absence of a settlement in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: It is for the UN to produce its own independent assessment of the impact of any changes.

Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the European Commission on the co-ordination of the consideration of bids for funding for the Nicosia Master Plan for projects in the buffer zone in respect of  (a) south and  (b) north Nicosia being considered by the EU Directorate General for (i) Regional Policy and (ii) Enlargement; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: This is a matter for the European Commission and the municipalities concerned. We are not involved in these discussions.

Cyprus: British Nationality

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his most recent estimate is of the number of British nationals resident in Cyprus  (a) north and  (b) south of the Green Line; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: We do not have precise figures for the number of British nationals resident in Cyprus. However, we estimate that there are approximately 60,000 British nationals resident in the south of Cyprus and 7,000 British nationals resident in the north of Cyprus. We estimate that approximately half are dual British-Cypriot nationals.

Cyprus: Politics and Government

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received reports of the  (a) hacking of the e-mails of the UN special representative in Cyprus and  (b) publication of those e-mails in Phileleftheros newspaper; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government are aware of the theft of UN documents and their subsequent publication in various newspapers. We continue to have every confidence in the UN Good Offices Mission and the UN Secretary General's Special Advisor, Alexander Downer.

Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his latest estimate is of the total compensation paid by the Immovable Property Commission in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Chris Bryant: According to recent figures, the Immovable Property Commission has over the past three years paid close to £35 million in compensation.

Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of allegations of Turkish Army outlets undercutting prices charged by Turkish Cypriot businesses in respect of the sale of consumer goods in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Chris Bryant: We have received no reports on this matter.

Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent estimate he has made of the number of  (a) Turkish and  (b) Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus troops in Northern Cyprus based on information from (i) Turkey, (ii) Cyprus, (iii) the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and (iv) the UK; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Chris Bryant: The Government have no estimate of the number of Turkish or Turkish Cypriot armed forces in the north of Cyprus. There are no troops from the Republic of Cyprus, UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus or from the UK in the north of Cyprus.

Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in the disbursement of the €259 million package of EU assistance to Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: By the end of September 2009, the Commission had contracted €133.9 million (52 per cent. of the overall programme) and endorsed €45.5 million for payment (18 per cent. of the programme). Tangible projects such as providing modern equipment to farmers, funding scholarships for students, improving traffic safety and replacing asbestos water pipes have already started and are making a real difference to the lives of ordinary Turkish Cypriots.

Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which projects  (a) contracted and  (b) completed in Northern Cyprus have been funded from the 259 million euro of EU provided aid; what the value of each project is; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: Information on the projects funded by the Financial Aid Regulation can be found on the European Commissions website:
	http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/turkish_cypriot_community/index_en.htm

Turkey

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the government of Turkey on permission for UN Committees on Missing Persons teams to work in areas under Turkish army control; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government have consistently supported resolutions by the Committee of Ministers at the Council of Europe urging the Turkish authorities to take additional measures to allow effective investigations into the fate of missing persons, in particular by granting the UN committee on missing person's access to all relevant information and areas.

Turkey: Northern Cyprus

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the financial subsidies given by the government of Turkey to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government do not hold independent figures, however, in a speech given on 4 October 2009, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan estimated that between 2003 and 2009, an average of $523 million per year, and in 2009 $815 million of aid was provided to the north of Cyprus.

Turkey: Varnava

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policy of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber in the case of Varnava and others v. Turkey; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Bryant: The Government have made no such assessment but will continue to call on both sides to release all information in relation to the tragic case of the missing in Cyprus, and will also continue to support the good work of the UN Committee on Missing Persons.

United Arab Emirates

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of UK foreign policy to the United Arab Emirates.

Ivan Lewis: The UK aims to strengthen relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in all fields to our mutual benefit.
	We work closely with the UAE to promote support for enhanced regional and global security we aim to improve cultural, sporting and scientific cooperation including supporting the creation and promotion of large scale renewable energy programmes by the UAE.
	Our work also aims to support British citizens in the UAE and to foster effective trade and economic cooperation that will further enhance links between British and Emirati businesses to operate successfully.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Council Housing: Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been received gross in council tax receipts in  (a) cash and  (b) real terms by each local authority in England in each year since 1997-98.

Barbara Follett: A table will be placed in the Library containing details of the gross council tax receipts collected by each local authority in England in each year since 1998 -99 in both cash and real terms.
	The data are taken from the Quarterly Return of Council Tax and Non-domestic rates returns completed annually by all billing authorities in England and the real terms data are given at 2008-09 prices.

Council Housing: Sutton

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to respond to the points raised by the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam during the summer recess adjournment debate on 21 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 837-38; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Austin: On 17 July, the Secretary of State announced as part of the Housing Pledge that over this year and next Government will be investing a further £1.5 billion to build an extra 20,000 new affordable homes for rent and low cost sale.
	As a consequence, £150 million has been reprioritised from the Decent Homes programme in 2010-11, to fund the Pledge initiative to contribute to the building of these new homes. That means the Government are spending more on housing this year.

Council Housing: Waiting Lists

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects to publish updated data on the number of households on local authorities' housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Austin: Local authorities report the number of households on their housing waiting lists on the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). This information will be published in a statistical release, 'Local Authority Housing Statistics, England 2008/09: HSSA and BPSA Statistical Release', which has been pre-announced for publication on the United Kingdom Statistics Authority (UKSA) publication hub for November/December 2009.

Council Tax

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties in each local authority district are in council tax band  (a) A and  (b) B.

Barbara Follett: A table has been placed in the Library giving details of the number of properties in each billing authority in England that are in council tax Band A and Band B.
	The data are as at 29 March 2009 and are supplied to Communities and Local Government by the Valuation Office Agency.
	The data are also available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/counciltax/dwellingsvaluationlist/

Council Tax: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under what circumstances the Valuation Office Agency will review the council tax banding of a dwelling upon the request of an occupier; and what the Agency's policy is on whether it will review a banding if the current occupier has resided in the dwelling for more than six months.

Barbara Follett: A review will normally be initiated, irrespective of duration of residence, in circumstances where the occupier provides information to suggest that the banding might be inaccurate.

Council Tax: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings have had their property attributes updated by the Valuation Office Agency as a result of data obtained from the Rightmove portal in the last year for which figures are available.

Barbara Follett: A total of 64,014 dwellings have had their property attributes updated by the Valuation Office Agency as a result of data obtained from the Rightmove portal during the period 16 October 2008 to 30 September 2009.
	Rightmove data are used routinely by VOA staff in the course of considering approximately 30,000 proposals/appeals and over 450,000 cases annually in respect of maintaining current council tax valuation lists. This provides quality assurance to ensure information about properties is correct and, ultimately, that taxpayers are asked to pay the right amount of tax. Rightmove also alleviates the need to inspect substantial numbers of properties thus minimising inconvenience to taxpayers. The use of Rightmove data more often than not results in no change to property attribute data.

Council Tax: Valuation

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties are recorded with each individual  (a) dwellinghouse code and  (b) value significant code, broken down by (i) individual type, (ii) number of rooms, (iii) number of bedrooms, (iv) number of bathrooms, (v) number of floors, (vi) floor level, (vii) parking, (viii) garaging, (ix) conservatory type, (x) age, (xi) outbuilding and (xii) modernisation code, in the local authority area of (A) King's Lynn and West Norfolk and (B) Broadland according to electronic records held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Barbara Follett: The number of properties with each individual dwellinghouse code and each value significant code, for all local authority areas in England, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Council Tax: Valuation

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many properties in Forest of Dean district are recorded with each individual  (a) dwellinghouse code and  (b) value significant code, including each code for (i) type, (ii) number of rooms, (iii) number of bedrooms, (iv) number of bathrooms, (v) number of floors, (vi) floor level, (vii) parking, (viii) garaging, (ix) conservatory type, (x) age, (xi) outbuilding and (xii) modernisation, according to electronic records held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Barbara Follett: The number of properties with each individual dwellinghouse code and each value significant code, for all local authority areas in England, will be placed in the Library.

Departmental Dismissal

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff have  (a) been dismissed and  (b) had their contract terminated by his Department in each of the last five years; what the reason was in each case; and what the severance costs in relation to (i) dismissal and (ii) contract termination were in each such year.

Shahid Malik: The number of staff that have been dismissed or had their contract terminated over the last five years cannot be released due to reasons of confidentiality.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) of 16 July 2009,  Official Report, column 656W, on Tony Clements, whether Mr Clements was a candidate selected to stand by a political party at a general election on the date of his appointment, 29 June 2009.

Barbara Follett: Mr. Clements was not a parliamentary candidate on the date of his appointment.

Departmental Rail Travel

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department and its predecessors spent on first class rail travel for officials in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  First class rail  (£) 
			 2007-08 406.232 
			 2008-09 419.249 
			 2009-10 (to date September) 142,473 
		
	
	The figures shown in the table came from the Department's travel suppliers but it should be noted that staff may also purchase rail tickets directly from stations or through other suppliers. Identifying first class rail travel expenditure from these sources could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Eco-towns

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Department has spent on the eco-town programme since its inception.

John Healey: The Department's spend for developing the eco-towns programme, including communications-related activity form part of the Department's running costs which are set out in the departmental annual report 2009.

Fire Engines: Sales

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Minister took the decision to dispose of the Green Goddess fire engines used to provide emergency fire cover.

Shahid Malik: The decision to dispose of the Green Goddess fleet was taken by the Government. Green Goddesses no longer offered the most flexible and efficient means of delivering emergency fire cover. In addition the Department provided 46 high volume pumps to the fire and rescue service which removed the need for a reserve pumping capacity. The National Framework for the fire and rescue service makes it clear that fire and rescue authorities are responsible for the supply of all necessary vehicles and equipment.

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the effect of increasing the personal search fee for the local land charges register on the cost of a home information pack.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The Ministry of Justice carried out an assessment of the effect of increasing the personal search fee for the local land charges register-see the impact assessment in the post-consultation report Local Authority Property Search Services published by the Ministry of Justice on 16 September 2009. This stated that the increased cost was likely to be passed on by personal search companies to their customers. If this happens it may lead to an increase in the cost of home information packs in England. However, this is a matter for the market and the Government have no role in this. Copies of the report are already available in the Library.

Housing: Construction

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable has been set for the publication of the results of the second stage of his Department's review on the extent and effect of housing development on garden land.

Ian Austin: Our intention is to make a further announcement before Parliament and publish the findings of the review together with the evidence shortly.

Housing: Construction

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local planning authorities responded to the Government's review on the extent and impact of housing development on garden land; and if he will place in the Library a copy of each such response.

Ian Austin: There were 127 detailed responses from local planning authorities to stage 1 of the Review of Evidence. I will make a further announcement before Parliament and my Department will publish the findings of the review together with the evidence shortly. These will all be placed in the Library.

Housing: Databases

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what role Ordnance Survey has in the geo-referencing of the property database held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Ian Austin: Ordnance Survey and the Valuation Office Agency have been working together to align their spatial address databases. Through the Pan Government Agreement, the Valuation Office Agency currently receives the Ordnance Survey's ADDRESS-POINT product. It will shortly receive Ordnance Survey's latest spatial addressing product OS MasterMap Address Layer 2.

Housing: Public Consultation

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the spending of grants provided for tenant participation in local housing authorities in each of the last three years.

Ian Austin: The Tenant Empowerment Programme (TEP) is a grant programme funded by Communities and Local Government and administered by the Tenant Services Authority. It enables tenants living in social housing to access independent advice, training and information directly. This helps them to challenge, influence or control how housing services are delivered to their communities. It does not fund landlords to undertake mainstream tenant participation which is core housing management activity.
	The last internal evaluation of the TEP programme occurred in 2006. We are currently re-examining its scope and governance in light of the new institutional landscape for social housing.

Housing: Public Consultation

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding his Department has allocated to tenant participation in local housing authorities in each of the last three years.

Ian Austin: The Tenant Empowerment Programme supports tenants living in social housing to access information and training as well as enabling tenant groups to explore and undertake management of their homes. Grant is not paid directly to local authorities but rather to national, regional, and local tenant organisations and training providers working across all social housing providers.
	Grant allocations for TEP were:
	2007-08: £2.6 million
	2008-09: £3.14 million
	2009-10: £3.14 million.

Housing: Regeneration

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable is for the review of the allocations to Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders; and what funding has been allocated to date in each year in each Pathfinder during the current Comprehensive Spending Review period.

John Healey: Funding allocations for HMR pathfinders during the current CSR period are given in the following table. The 2009-10 figures include £311 million allocated in March 2009 and a further £35 million which I announced in July 2009 and which was based on strong progress. Figures for 2010-11 are indicative.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  HMR pathfinder  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11( 1) 
			 Birmingham Sandwell 25 19 11 
			 East Lancashire 52 50 48 
			 Hull and East Riding 30 29 28 
			 Manchester Salford 52 46 42 
			 Merseyside 54 51 47 
			 Newcastle Gateshead 34 32 29 
			 North Staffordshire 40 38 36 
			 Oldham Rochdale 32 30 28 
			 South Yorkshire 46 38 31 
			 Tees Valley 13 11 10 
			 West Cumbria 3 2 1 
			 Total 381 346 311 
			 (1) Indicative allocation.

Housing: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what circumstances a proposal submitted to the Valuation Office Agency to reduce the banding of a dwelling is  (a) considered by the agency alone and  (b) referred to the Valuation Tribunal Service.

Barbara Follett: All proposals must be submitted to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), who will issue a decision on each proposal. A proposal is considered by the VOA alone unless the decision is appealed to the independent Valuation Tribunal by the taxpayer or any other party who, by law, is in a position to make such an appeal (e.g. the owner if not also the taxpayer).

Housing: Valuation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what obligations there are on property owners to respond to requests from the Valuation Office Agency to complete questionnaires gathering information for the purposes of property valuation.

Barbara Follett: For domestic property questionnaires are issued to taxpayers so that they may voluntarily supply information that would otherwise have to be obtained by other means, such as an inspection. Using the questionnaires reduces the need to inspect, minimises the inconvenience to the taxpayer and enables the VOA to deal effectively and speedily with taxpayers' enquiries.
	While, under section 27 of the Local Government Act 1992, the VOA can require an owner or occupier to supply information that will assist in maintaining council tax valuation lists, the questionnaires are not issued to taxpayers using these powers.

LLM Communications

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 July 2009,  Official Report, column 1662W, on LLM Communications, for what reasons the Department paid LLM Communications directly.

John Healey: In 2006 the Campaign for More and Better Homes (CMBH) approached the Department seeking funding for a series of regional housing debates. It was agreed with CMBH that LLM Communications would be engaged to support this work and CLG engaged LLM on behalf of the partnership.

Lobbying

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent guidance his Department has issued to its  (a) special advisers,  (b) civil servants and  (c) policy advisers on 12 month contracts on meetings with lobbyists; and whether central records are kept of any such meetings.

Barbara Follett: Special advisers meet many people as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code, the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/lobbyists.aspx
	In addition guidance on contact with lobbyists is provided to all civil servants through the staff handbook which is available on the Department's intranet.

Local Authority Business Growth Incentives Scheme

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reason the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive funding scheme funding has been reduced to £50 million for 2010-11; and whether the funds previously allocated to the programme are to be transferred to another programme.

Barbara Follett: LABGI funding for 2010-11 was reduced from £100 million to £50 million as part of a review of Government spending priorities in early 2009 in light of the economic downturn.

Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of progress in the operation of two-tier pathfinders; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the report by the Office for Public Management consultancy, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Cardiff Business School on two-tier pathfinders.

Rosie Winterton: My officials are currently reviewing progress on two-tier innovation with the four pathfinders and other councils. In the light of this we will be considering how best to encourage and facilitate improved two-tier working, particularly in the context of the Total Place initiative. The research contractors are still finalising the qualitative report and associated documents from the long-term evaluation of two-tier pathfinders and new unitary authorities. We anticipate this will be published early in the new year and will place a copy in the House Library.

Local Government Finance

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will place in the Library a copy of the underlying wage data (the ASHE Dataset) used as the basis of the calculation for the area cost adjustment for the most recent three years.

Barbara Follett: Information contained in the ASHE data is collected by ONS under the Statistics of Trade Act (1947), and is regarded as confidential. It is therefore not possible to make the ASHE dataset available in the Library.

Local Government: Publicity

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate his Department has made of the number of local authorities which publish a weekly municipal newspaper.

Rosie Winterton: My Department has made no estimate of the number of local authorities that issue publicity in the form of a weekly newsletter or freesheet.

Local Government: Publicity

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which  (a) individuals and  (b) organisations responded to his Department's consultation on the Code of Conduct on Local Authority Publicity.

Rosie Winterton: I have arranged for a list of the over 300 people and organisations who responded to the consultation on the code of recommended practice on local authority publicity to be placed in the Library. We intend to publish a summary of consultees' comments by the end of the year.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1007W, on mortgages: Government assistance, which lenders are participating in the Homeowner's Mortgage Support Scheme; how many borrowers are participating in the scheme with each lender; and how much funding has been made available in respect of each lender.

John Healey: A full list of lenders participating in the scheme is available at:
	http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Keepingyourhomeevictionsandhomelessness/Mortgagesandrepossessions/DG_177637
	The following lenders have recently joined the scheme: Bank of Ireland (including Bristol and West and the Post Office) and Kensington Mortgages on 1 October; and Basinghall Finance on 8 October.
	A maximum guaranteed amount is set for each participating lender. This is based on market share information and is commercially confidential.
	The Department plans to publish information in December on the number of households who have been helped through Homeowners Mortgage Support.

Muslim Council of Britain

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what dates Ministers in his Department have met representatives of the Muslim Council of Britain in the last 12 months.

Shahid Malik: The former Communities Minister, now the Minister of State, Department for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Sadiq Khan), chaired a meeting of the Faith Communities Consultative Council on 11 November 2008 which was attended by a representative of the Muslim Council of Britain. My hon. Friend also held meetings with the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) Steering Group on 2 December 2008, 15 January 2009, 4 March, and 22 April 2009 which were attended by representatives of the Muslim Council of Britain. In addition my hon. Friend met representatives from the Muslim Council of Britain in a separate meeting on 2 December 2008.
	The former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the former Communities Minister attended a meeting hosted by the Prime Minister on 25 November 2008 at which representatives of the Muslim Council of Britain were present.

National Housing and Planning Advice Unit

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what research projects the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit is carrying out; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Austin: Part of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit's remit is to commission research in support of building an evidence base to advise Government and other stakeholders on the implications of housing supply on affordability. Since its launch it has developed and delivered a focused research programme exploring specific aspects of the housing supply and affordability problem from an independent perspective, with the aim of engaging stakeholders and informing the development of housing supply policy and practice. This programme of research activity is ongoing, and the unit is currently carrying out the following projects:
	1. The Geography of Housing Market Areas in England: Implications for Analysis, Modelling and Policy.
	2. Developing sub-regional or cross regional models of housing markets supply and affordability in England-proposal for feasibility studies.
	3. The effect of supply constraints on housing costs.
	4. An empirical investigation of planning delay and its impact on housing supply.
	5. The Implications of Housing Type, Size, Mix and Density.
	6. Mortgage possessions in the UK: a regional and national analysis.
	7. The need for market and affordable housing.
	8. House Prices and Cohort Home Ownership.
	9. A review of European Planning Systems.

National Housing and Planning Advice Unit: Pay

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the National Housing and Planning Advice unit spent on staff costs in each of the last three years.

Ian Austin: The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit was first set up in October 2006, had a fully operational team by March 2007 and was officially launched in June 2007. It is a small team of civil servants (there are currently 13 staff in post) whose work is shaped and steered by an expert board. The unit's remit is national, and its prime objective is to develop a strong and reliable evidence base on which to provide independent advice to Government and other stakeholders about the impact of planning proposals on affordability. In supporting this objective, it has provided comprehensive advice on housing supply numbers to be tested in the planning process, developed and delivered a focused research programme, and delivered affordability training events for stakeholders, with the aim of raising awareness of the affordability problem.
	The unit spent the following on staff costs(1) in each of the last three years.
	(1) Staff costs are salaries of permanent staff, including pension and national insurance contributions. They do not include board fees, or salary costs of temporary staff.
	
		
			   £ 
			 October 2006 to March 2007 (1)68,490 
			 April 2007 to March 2008 578,968 
			 April 2008 to March 2009 606,212 
			 April 2009 to Current(2) 330,688 
			 (1) This amount accounts for the six-month set-up period for the unit. For the first five months of this period, the unit had only one member of staff-it's chief executive, who was setting up the unit during this period, with other staff members joining the unit during February and March 2007. The £68,490 quoted applies therefore to only 1.42 full-time equivalent staff years. For the following years, the salary costs quoted relate to the full team (which equates to 12-13 staff years). (2) To end of September 2009.

Non-Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the value was of unpaid business rates  (a) uncollected and  (b) written off in each of the last five years in England.

Barbara Follett: The amount of business rates, in £ million, not collected within the year to which it relates for 2004-05 to 2008-09 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2004-05 261 
			 2005-06 269 
			 2006-07 229 
			 2007-08 215 
			 2008-09 423 
		
	
	Collection of non-domestic rates continues after the year to which it relates has ended so the final amount not collected for the year will be lower than that shown in the table.
	This information is available in Table 3 of the statistical releases Collection Rates for Council Tax and Non-domestic Rates in England that are available on the Communities and Local Government website at
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/counciltax/collectionrates/
	Estimates of the amount of business rates (in £ million) written off each year in the period 2003-04 to 2007-08 are given in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			 2003-04 818 
			 2004-05 779 
			 2005-06 714 
			 2006-07 579 
			 2007-08 759 
		
	
	Data for 2008-09 will not be available until spring 2010.
	This information is published annually in Table 2.3k of Local Government Financial Statistics England No 19 2009 that is available on the Communities and Local Government website at
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localgovernmentfinance/localgovernmentfinance/statistics
	The data are taken from the Quarterly Return on Collection of Council Tax and Non-domestic Rates return (QRC4) and the national non-domestic rates return (NNDR3) that are completed annually by all billing authorities in England.

Non-Domestic Rates

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many firms eligible for small business rate relief were not claiming it on the latest date for which figures are available.

Barbara Follett: Data are not currently available on the number of businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR). We asked local authorities to estimate the numbers of businesses that were eligible for SBRR in the annual national non-domestic rate return. We are examining these data to assess their quality before making a decision about whether they are suitable for publication. Meanwhile, we are working to see if we can establish an estimate of the number of businesses eligible for SBRR using previous research in this area and so assess the level of take-up.
	The number of properties reported by local authorities as claiming SBRR as at December 31 2006 was 392,000. Local authorities also reported that they had granted £997 million in SBRR between April 1 2005 and March 31 2009. They expect to grant a further £306 million in 2009-10.

Non-Domestic Rates: Greater London

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 10 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 767-68W, on the Crossrail line: finance, what information his Department holds on the likely  (a) start date and  (b) end date of the supplementary business rate in London.

Barbara Follett: The Department's understanding is that the Mayor of London intends  (a) to start levying a business rate supplement (BRS) to support the funding of the Crossrail project from April 2010 and that  (b) dependent on the future conditions of the financial markets which will facilitate the borrowing that the BRS will support, that the London Crossrail BRS will run for between 24 and 30 years.
	The Mayor of London's plans are set out in his Crossrail BRS prospectus, published on July 30 2009 for consultation. The Business Rate Supplements Act 2009 requires that any revision to the prospectus would have to be consulted on.

Planning Permission

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications were made in each district and single-tier authority in the last 12 month period for which figures are available; and how many and what proportion of these were referred to planning inspectors for decision in the case of each district or single-tier authority.

Ian Austin: The number of planning applications received for each district or single-tier authority in England in 2007-08 is published in table 1.7 from the annual Development Control Statistics, which can be found at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/developmentcontrol200708
	Information on the number of planning applications referred to planning inspectors is published by the Planning Inspectorate but is not disaggregated by local authority.

Playing Fields: Planning Permission

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what planning guidance has been produced by his Department on using  (a) green belt,  (b) countryside and  (c) open space for use as playing fields in the last three years.

Ian Austin: Planning guidance on playing fields is contained in Planning Policy Guidance note 17-Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, which was published in 2002. No new planning guidance on playing fields has been issued since then.

Public Sector Relocation Independent Review

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what use has been made of the dataset of revaluations produced for the Lyons Review by the Valuation Office Agency since the conclusion of the review; and which public bodies have access to the dataset.

Barbara Follett: No revaluations took place for the Lyons review. A number of datasets containing address information, attribute data and value estimates were provided to the review team during the period of their review. The data were provided to the Lyons review team expressly for their use only.
	The Valuation Office Agency has made no use of these datasets since the conclusion of the review.
	No other public bodies have access to this information.

Regional Development Agencies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date regional development agencies will commence their roles as regional planning bodies.

Ian Austin: There are no proposals for regional development agencies to become regional planning bodies.

Social Rented Housing: Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent representations he has received on the decision to reduce Decent Homes funding; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Austin: Following the Housing Pledge announcement of 17 July 2009 the Department has thus far received around 34 representations. The representations were from Members of this House and representatives of local authorities.

Starbucks: Planning Permission

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning appeals relating to the establishment of Starbucks coffee shops have been considered by the Planning Inspectorate in the last 24 months.

Ian Austin: The Planning Inspectorate has considered eight planning appeals by the Starbucks Coffee company in the two-year period from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2009. Of these, five appeals were allowed and three dismissed.

Tony Clements

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether Mr Tony Clements played a role in drafting the letter sent by the Minister for Housing and Planning to the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition dated 28 July 2009.

Barbara Follett: Tony Clements had no role in drafting the letter sent by the Minister for Housing and Planning to the Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition dated 28 July 2009.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many times the power contained in section 79, paragraph 3 of Schedule 6 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 has been used since 1997; on how many of those occasions his Department and its predecessors has not accepted in full the Planning Inspector's report and recommendations; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance issued by his Department on the exercise of such discretion.

Ian Austin: Since April 1997, the Secretary of State has used the power mentioned (to recover planning appeals for determination by Secretary of State) on a total of 1,301 occasions. Since April 2002, the Secretary of State has disagreed with the Inspector's recommendation on a total of 76 planning appeals. This information was not routinely collected before 2002.
	A written ministerial statement setting out the revised criteria for the recovery of appeals was made on 30 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 43-44WS.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what level of grant aid was provided to each local authority for improving Gypsy and Traveller sites in each of the last five years; and what the relevant outturn expenditure was by each authority in each year.

Shahid Malik: Grant for refurbishing existing and building new Gypsy and Traveller sites was paid through the Gypsy Site Refurbishment Grant up to and including financial year 2005-06 and since 2006-07 has been paid through the Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant.
	The level of grant paid to each local authority by the Department for Communities and Local Government in financial years 2005-06 to 2008-09 has been placed in the Library. The Department does not hold records of the outturn expenditure by local authorities following these grant awards in financial years 2005-06 to 2008-09.
	The Homes and Communities Agency is responsible for paying the Gypsy and Traveller Site Grant in the current financial year 2009-10. The agency has received bids for grant funding, but no payments have yet been made to local authorities.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the spending of grants provided to local authorities to improve Gypsy and Traveller sites in the last three years.

Shahid Malik: The Department has not carried out any formal review of effectiveness of the Gypsy and Traveller site grant in the last three years. From 2006-07 The process through which successful schemes were recommended was changed. Gypsy and Traveller site grant from this point formed part of the regional housing pot, with recommendations for successful schemes being made by Regional Assemblies. This helped to ensure that local knowledge about the ability of authorities to deliver schemes of this nature was better taken into account.
	Bids were assessed, in a competitive process, against published bidding guidance centrally and analysed by independent consultants to assist Regional Assemblies in assessing schemes. The evaluation assessed bids against the following key criteria:
	Does the scheme meet a clearly assessed need
	Does the scheme offer value for money
	Is the site sustainable
	Can the scheme be delivered to time and to budget
	Since April 2009, administration of the Gypsy and Traveller site grant has transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency who will be paying grant under their own new powers and monitoring regime.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he has received any  (a) letters and  (b) other communication requesting anonymity of representation in planning application cases for Gypsy and Traveller pitches or sites in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: The Department has not received any letters or other communications in the last six months requesting anonymity of representations in planning application cases for Gypsy and Traveller pitches or sites.

Valuation Office: ICT

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of the Valuation Office Agency's domestic property attribute data has been digitised; what the targets for full digitisation are; and what the total cost of the digitisation project is.

Barbara Follett: All of the Valuation Office Agency's (VOA) domestic property attribute data are digitised.
	For the cost for digitising the VOAs property attribute data, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 January 2006,  Official Report, column 268W.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Children: Databases

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which Minister has responsibility for the security of data held on the ContactPoint database.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 16 October 2009
	 Baroness Morgan of Drefelin is responsible for ContactPoint at a ministerial level.

Children: Social Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  with reference to page 14 of the Ofsted report Learning lessons from serious case reviews: year 2, how many of the 38 deaths arising from homicides were  (a) reported in serious case reviews that were inadequate in each local authority and  (b) of children known to social services at the time of the incident;
	(2)  what the executive summary titles are of the 173 serious case reviews examined in preparation of the Ofsted report entitled Learning lessons from serious case reviews: year 2.

Dawn Primarolo: These are matters for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and copies of her replies can be found as follows.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 19 October 2009 :
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response. (UIN 294637)
	In the recently published report Learning lessons, taking action: Year 2, Ofsted reported that between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009, Ofsted received 174 notifications of deaths of children where abuse was or was suspected to have been a factor. This figure included 38 deaths arising from homicide. Interrogation of data relating to these 38 deaths of children has identified that, to date, 10 of these notifications have resulted in serious case reviews that have been received and evaluated by Ofsted. The 10 reviews relate to 15 children. Four reviews were judged good, four adequate and two were inadequate.
	Of the 15 children concerned, three were on the child protection register at the time of the incident, two were previously referred to social care services prior to the incident but were not receiving services and ten were not known to children's services. Ofsted has not yet received the remaining serious case reviews. The majority of serious case reviews take between 4 and 12 months to complete as, in some cases, the requirements of judicial proceedings can lead to delays in the review process,
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 19 October 2009:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for response. (UIN 294638)
	To protect families and especially vulnerable siblings, the executive summaries of all serious case reviews are anonymised prior to publication by Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
	To enable inspectors to link each serious case review accurately with the notification of the specific incident, Ofsted records all serious case reviews under children's actual names or initials and not the pseudonym which may be used for the executive summary when it is published. It is not possible therefore for Ofsted to provide details of the executive summary titles later used by the Local Safeguarding Children Boards.
	Ofsted does provide details of the date of its evaluations by local authority and has included a full list of the 173 serious case reviews as an annex to the report.
	Using this information, it is possible to access each of the executive summaries through a helpful web link hosted by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children:
	http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/factsandfigures/readinglists/serious_case_reviews_2009_wda62916,.html
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Dawn Primarolo MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Children: Social Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the Ofsted report entitled Learning lessons from serious case reviews: year 2, what steps he is taking in respect of those serious case reviews which were found to be inadequate.

Dawn Primarolo: Since 1 December 2008 all Local Safeguarding Children Boards responsible for serious case reviews which have been judged inadequate convene an independently chaired panel to reconsider the review before sending a report to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, and copied to Ofsted, which addresses the review's inadequacies. This process was applied retrospectively to all serious case reviews which Ofsted had evaluated as inadequate, as well as to those receiving an inadequate judgment after 1 December. Ofsted reported that 62 out of the 63 reports received by 31 March 2009 following inadequate SCRs were judged to be satisfactory. A further report was requested in respect of the one inadequate report; the revised version was judged by Ofsted as satisfactory. Ofsted noted in their report that the reconsiderations had resulted in greatly strengthened reviews and valuable lessons learnt with regard to safeguarding practice. These arrangements are reflected in new draft guidance currently subject to public consultation (chapter 8 of Working Together to Safeguard Children).

Departmental Advertising

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on newspaper advertising carried in each newspaper in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Diana Johnson: Expenditure on newspaper advertising by the Department for Children, Schools and Families for the period April 2008 to March 2009 is outlined in the following table.
	
		
			  DCSF: 2008/09 
			  Publication  Expenditure (£) 
			  Daily Express 104,980 
			  Daily Mail 312,327 
			  Daily Mirror 141,500 
			  Daily Star 37,480 
			  Daily Star on Sunday 6,950 
			  Daily Telegraph 113,148 
			  Financial Times 25,000 
			  News of the World 120,901 
			  Sunday Express 46,495 
			  Sunday Mirror 75,036 
			  Sunday Telegraph 68,430 
			  The Guardian 69,656 
			  The Independent 24,630 
			  The Independent on Sunday 12,850 
			  The Mail on Sunday 100,650 
			  The Observer 32,600 
			  The Sun 299,550 
			  The Sunday Times 218,400 
			  The Times 94,600 
			 Total 1,905,183

Departmental Consultants

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his latest estimate is of expenditure by his Department and its predecessor on all forms of consultancy for each  (a) year and  (b) quarter from 31 March 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson: Figures for the former Department for Education and Skills show that it spent the following sums from administration costs (the Department's internal running costs) on consultancy from 1997.
	
		
			   £ million 
			 1997-98 3.9 
			 1998-99 5.0 
			 1999-2000 3.7 
			 2000-01 4.3 
			 2001-02 5.0 
			 2002-03 4.0 
			 2003-04 4.7 
			 2004-05 3.9 
		
	
	The costs of consultancy charged to programmes budgets (supporting external front-line delivery) before November 2004 were not recorded centrally, and could now be provided only at disproportionate cost. The total cost of consultancy charged to programmes from November to March 2004-05 was £4.4 million.
	From the year 2005/06, consultancy costs as a whole have been captured. Set out as follows are comparable annual consultancy costs for the Department; your request for quarterly expenditure details is however one which could be met only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Expenditure on consultants 
			   £ million 
			 2005/06 21.5 
			 2006/07 45.1 
			 2007/08 61.4 
			 2008/09 59.2

Departmental Internet

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which officials in his Department write the tweets on his Department's Twitter site.

Diana Johnson: The Department's Twitter channel is managed by the Digital Communications Unit. Updates to it form part of the business as usual editorial process for corporate news updates. For some policy announcements, officials from across the Department will provide the draft text for updates, which are then reviewed and edited as necessary.

Departmental NDPBs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what budget his Department has agreed with each of its non-departmental bodies for the period 2009 to 2011.

Diana Johnson: Funding has been agreed only for 2009-10 and is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  2009-10 
			  Name  £ million 
			 British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA) 43 
			 Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) 124 
			 Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) 70 
			 National College for School Leadership (NCSL) 86 
			 Partnership for Schools (PFS) 21 
			 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) 132 
			 School Food Trust (SFT) 7 
			 Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) 708 
			 11 Million 3

Departmental Public Expenditure

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to table 8.4 of his Department's annual report for 2009, which individual programmes and corresponding allocations for 2010-11 are aggregated under the items  (a) Sure Start,  (b) 14-19 Development,  (c) Qualifications and Curriculum,  (d) Youth Programmes,  (e) other students' fund,  (f) school standards grants and  (g) academies.

Diana Johnson: The Department's programmes shown aggregated in DCSF's Departmental Annual Report 2009 for the year 2010-11 are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Departmental report allocation 2010-11 
			  Programme details  £000 
			  (a) Sure Start  
			 Sure Start: Other Current Programmes 72,309 
			 Sure Start LA Current Grants 1,540,382 
			 Childcare Initiative 41,900 
			 Sure Start-LA Capital Grants 315,025 
			 Extended Schools and Study Support 457,466 
			 Sure Start total 2,427,082 
			   
			  (b) 14-19 Development  
			 14-19 Local Delivery 116,681 
			 14-19 Diploma Costs 25,500 
			 Attainment at 19 30,071 
			 Bridging Allowances and Community Industry Pensions 1,455 
			 14-19 Development total 173,707 
			  (c) Qualifications and Curriculum  
			 Qualifications and Curriculum 91,762 
			 Qualifications and Curriculum total 91,762 
			   
			  (d) Youth Programmes  
			 Contact Point (Capital) 35,200 
			 Youth Challenge Fund 4,300 
			 Workforce Development Capital Grant 218 
			 National Youth Agency (NYA)/National Voluntary Youth Agency (NVYO) Grants 8,000 
			 Children and Families Directorate (CFD) Capital Grant 21,334 
			 Voluntary Child Services (VCS) Children Young People and Families (CYPF) Grant and capacity improving 21,802 
			 Communications/Participation/Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) 864 
			 Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS)/Integrated Children's System (ICS)/Making Safeguarding Everyone's Responsibility (MSER)/Adoption Strategy/Quality Protects (QP) 59,523 
			 Family Fund Trust/Contact a Family 23,322 
			 10 Year Strategy Additions 66,000 
			 Youth Sector Support 40,000 
			 Peer Mentoring 240 
			 Youth Programmes total 280,803 
			   
			  (e) Other Standards Fund  
			 Standards Fund Current 2,213,161 
			 Other Standards Fund total 2,213,161 
			   
			  (f) School Standards Grant  
			 School Standard Grants 1,665,925 
			 School Standards Grant total 1,665,925 
			   
			  (g) Academies  
			 City Academy recurrent 284,312 
			 Academies total 284,312

Education: Finance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what resources from which standards funds have been allocated by his Department in the last 12 months.

Vernon Coaker: The following table shows the Standards Fund allocations made to local authorities for 2008-09 and 2009-10 to date.
	
		
			  Standards Fund allocations to local authorities 
			  £ million 
			   2008-09  2009-10 
			  Revenue Grants   
			 School Development Grant 1,915.0 1,950.8 
			 School Lunch Grant 78.8 78.8 
			 Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant 184.9 194.0 
			 Targeted Improvement Grant(1) 12.2 15.1 
			 Making Good Progress 7.7 126.6 
			 1-2-1 Tuition and Participation Key Stage 2 early roll out(2) 15.7 - 
			 Extended Schools-Sustainability 73.5 134.5 
			 Extended Schools Subsidy 7.1 37.8 
			 Targeted Support for the Primary National Strategy 195.8 220.3 
			 Targeted Support for the Secondary National Strategy 109.5 108.3 
			 City Challenge(1) 32.8 10.13 
			 Extending and increasing flexibility of free entitlement for 3-4 year olds 80.0 170.0 
			 Music 82.6 82.5 
			 Playing for Success 12.8 13.1 
			 Key Stage 4 Engagement Programme 17.0 18.5 
			 National Challenge(1) 54.9 37.3 
			 Total Revenue Grants 2,880.2 3197.7 
			
			  Capital Grants( 3)   
			 Devolved Formula Capital 802.0 1,090.5 
			 Building Schools for the Future (BSF)(4) 635.8 849.4 
			 Primary Capital Programme 143.5 734.8 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-Standards and Diversity 53.6 66.8 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-One School Pathfinders 435.4 329.0 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-Main Programme 170.5 9.5 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-Kitchens 8.3 47.1 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-Cookery in the Curriculum 1.0 30.1 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-14-19 Diploma/SEN - 302.3 
			 Targeted Capital Fund (TCF)-Specialist Sports Colleges(5) - 22.0 
			 Modernisation - 300.6 
			 Harnessing Technology 200.8 200.8 
			 Framework Academies(4) 101.3 263.0 
			 Extended Schools (Capital) 84.0 89.0 
			 Miscellaneous Capital 24.8 34.7 
			 Basic Need Safety Valve 22.7 19.3 
			 City Learning Centres 15.8 15.8 
			 Specialist Schools Capital 17.5 12.9 
			 School Travel Plans 15.4 11.0 
			 Home Access for Targeted Groups(6) 18.0 - 
			 Total Capital Grants 2,750.3 4,428.6 
			 (1) Further allocations to be made during 2009-10 as projects progress. (2 )Within Making Good Progress from 2009-10. (3 )From October 2009 the Department has transferred certain of its operational functions in relation to schools capital funding, including capital grant payments to local authorities, to Partnerships for Schools. (4) Full year spend for 2009-10 could reach £1,010 million (BSF) and £350 million (Framework Academies) if projects in the pipeline reach their expected milestones during the year. (5) Part of TCF Standards and Diversity programme in 2008-09. (6) Home Access Programme will be not routed through local authorities in 2009-10.

Pupils: Migration

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the level of pupil mobility in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in each local education authority in 2007-08.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 20 July 2009
	The DCSF does not publish any estimates of pupil mobility. Estimates of pupil mobility in primary and secondary schools are provided here using the mobility indicators that form part of the DCSF's Contextual Value Added (CVA) models. These identify pupils as mobile if they join a school at non standard times. Only pupils at the end of Key Stage 2 and the end of Key Stage 4 in 2007/08 are included in the figures. A copy of these tables has been placed in the Libraries.

Social Workers: Young Offender Institutions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many social workers have worked full-time in young offender institutions in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Vetting: Appeals

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people convicted of each type of offence have successfully appealed against automatic barring from working with children.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 16 October 2009
	No individuals who have been automatically placed on list 99 and barred from working with children have successfully appealed against automatic barring from working with children.

TREASURY

Adjudicator's Office

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training staff of the Adjudicator's Office receive in respect of handling  (a) complaints and  (b) applications for compensation.

Stephen Timms: New staff at the Adjudicator's Office normally receive a 13 module training programme when they join the office. This programme includes separate modules on complaints handling and redress (compensation).

Consolidated Contractors Corporation

David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) meetings,  (b) communications and  (c) other contacts Ministers and officials in his Department have had with the Consolidated Contractors Corporation (CCC Group) and its international offshoots in the last five years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Council of Economic Advisers: Departmental Responsibilities

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the job specification and terms of reference for members of his Department's Council of Economic Advisers who have the status of special advisers.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Prime Minister provides Parliament with details of special advisers through an annual written ministerial statement. This includes members of the Council of Economic Advisers, who are appointed on special adviser terms.
	The terms of reference for the Council of Economic Advisers are:
	To advise the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the design and implementation of policies for the achievement of the Government's economic objectives.

Departmental ICT

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what IT systems have been in development for use within his Department in the last five years, what the reasons for the development of each system are; how much has been spent on the development of each system; and which systems have subsequently been  (a) implemented,  (b) terminated prior to implementation and  (c) terminated following implementation.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The following table summarises the information requested for expenditure over £0.1 million on IT systems developed within HM Treasury in the five years to October 2009.
	
		
			  System name  Reason for development  Status  Amount spent (£ million) 
			 Budget and Finance Bill Database Secure single data repository for Budget and pre-Budget report data management and reporting Implemented 0.2 
		
	
	In respect of the Department's Corporate Shared Services Programme, which had an IT-enabling element to underpin the shared Human Resource service for people in HM Treasury and the Office of Government Commerce, I refer the hon. Lady to the answer my predecessor gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) on 28 January 2009,  Official Report, column 584W. It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of the IT-enabled element from the overall costs of the programme.

Economic Situation: Leeds

John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the recession on the economy in Leeds West constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government recognise that the global economic downturn has affected all regions within the UK. Yorkshire Forward, as the regional development agency in the region, has taken forward a number of initiatives to provide assistance to families and businesses in these difficult times. The Chancellor will provide an update on the state of the economy at a national level in the 2009 pre-Budget report later this autumn.

Financial Services

Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Chairman of the Financial Services Authority on the social usefulness of activities of the financial services sector.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Ministers and officials meet the FSA on a regular basis to discuss a wide range of issues.
	The paper Reforming Financial Markets, published on 8 July 2009, sets out the Government's approach to reforming regulation of financial services.

Government: Assets

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 12 October 2009,  Official Report, columns 23-28, on sale of Government assets, what valuation his Department placed in October 2007 on  (a) the Tote,  (b) the Dartford Crossing,  (c) the student loan book,  (d) the Channel Tunnel Rail Link,  (e) the central Government property proposed for sale and  (f) the local authority assets proposed for sale.

Liam Byrne: Publishing details of valuations of Government assets ahead of any commercial negotiations with potential buyers would undermine the value for money of any disposal. However, departmental and national accounts provide some details of the book value of Government assets.

Inheritance Tax: Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 9 July 2009,  Official Report, column 967W, on Taxation: Valuation Office, how many inheritance tax valuations submitted by taxpayers were adjusted following a challenge by the Valuation Office Agency in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2003-04,  (c) 2002-03 and  (d) 2001-02.

Ian Pearson: The number of inheritance tax cases in which the valuations submitted by taxpayers were adjusted following a challenge by the Valuation Office Agency in 2004-05 was 6,169. Figures for the earlier years cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines: Financial Services

William Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 12 October 2009,  Official Report, column 1WS, on delegated legislation (counter terrorism), how many offices the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines maintains in the UK; whether they will be required to be closed; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Companies House records state that the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) has one registered office in the UK.
	The direction contained in the Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2009 requires all UK financial and credit institutions to cease business relationships and transactions with both Bank Mellat and IRISL, and their branches, wherever they are located. It does not require the IRISL office in the UK to be closed.

Research and Development Tax Credit

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the research and development tax credit.

Ian Pearson: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people obtained relief under the furnished holiday letting rules for occupancy rates of  (a) 10,  (b) 15,  (c) 20 and  (d) more than 25 weeks in the 2007-08 tax year; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs administrative systems do not hold information about the occupancy rates of let property, including properties let by those obtaining relief under the furnished holiday lettings rules.
	An impact assessment will be published at the 2009 pre-Budget report alongside draft legislation.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether following the abolition of the furnished holiday letting rules owners of self-catering cottages and owners of bed and breakfast establishments will be subject to the same taxation regime.

Stephen Timms: Following abolition of the furnished holiday letting rules, the owners of most self catering cottages will be taxed on the basis that they are carrying on a property business, but where additional services are provided, some or all of the activities may amount to a trade.
	There are long established rules for deciding whether an activity is a trade. Under these rules, running a bed and breakfast establishment is normally a trade.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions his Department has had with European Commission on the furnished holiday letting rules; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Government discuss a range of issues with the European Commission. As was the case with the previous Administration, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of these discussions.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) organisations and  (b) individuals have made representations against his plans to amend the furnished holiday letting rules since those plans were announced; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Taxation: Holiday Accommodation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of holiday cottages owned by those who will be affected by his proposed amendments to the furnished holiday letting rules.

Stephen Timms: From the information supplied in the 2007-08 income tax returns, HM Revenue and Customs estimate that the repeal of the furnished holiday lettings rules from April 2010 will affect approximately 75,000 properties.
	An impact assessment will be published at the 2009 pre-Budget Report alongside draft legislation.

Valuation Office

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a gateway review was undertaken in relation to the Valuation Office Agency's Geographical Information System.

Ian Pearson: The Office of Government Commerce Gateway review process applies to all major projects across Government and is designed to ensure high standards of project management.
	OGC has not carried out a Gateway review of the VOA GIS project as it does not fall into the category of a major project. The VOA's GIS project has been categorised as low risk and is therefore subject to a different level of review.

Valuation Office: Data Protection

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne) of 14 September 2009,  Official Report, column 2134W, on the Valuation Office: data protection, whether photographs of dwellings held on the Valuation Office Agency's photographic database are treated as personal data.

Ian Pearson: All data, including photographs, which qualified as personal data in accordance with paragraph 1.1 of the Data Protection Act 1998 are treated in accordance with that Act by the Valuation Office Agency.

Valuation Office: Data Protection

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Ludlow of 14 September 2009,  Official Report, column 2134W, on the Valuation Office: data protection, since what date the Valuation Office Agency has treated domestic property attribute data on individual dwellings as personal data.

Ian Pearson: Since 1998, all data, including domestic property attributes, which qualified as personal data in accordance with paragraph 1.1 of the Data Protection Act 1998 are treated in accordance with that Act by the Valuation Office Agency.

Valuation Office: Land Registry

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency has spent on the Land Registry Direct service since February 2007.

Ian Pearson: Over the period February 2007 to September 2009, the VOA spent £56,831 on the Land Registry Direct service.

Valuation Office: Training

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2009,  Official Report, column 1514W, on the Valuation Office: training, what the content of the Euclidian programme is.

Ian Pearson: Euclidian is a suite of web-based interactive learning tools designed and developed by the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation (IRRV). The programmes, which cover a variety of benefit and revenue topics, are predominantly aimed at people working in local authorities.
	Euclidian is hosted on the IRRV website at:
	www.irrvlearning.org.uk

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on public expenditure of removing the second income threshold on tax credits and applying a consistent taper rate of  (a) 40 per cent.,  (b) 41 per cent. and  (c) 42 per cent. in each of the next five years; and if he will estimate the number of people who would have their awards reduced to zero in each case.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 15 October 2009
	The estimated savings from 2010-11 to 2014-15 from removing the second income threshold and applying a consistent taper rate at each of the rates requested, is provided in the following table. No account has been taken of possible behavioural effects.
	
		
			  Effect on expenditure 
			  £ million 
			  Taper rate  2010-11  2011-12  2012-13  2013-14  2014-15 
			 40 per cent. -1,010 -1,020 -1,000 -990 -960 
			 41 per cent. -1,290 -1,320 -1,310 -1,310 -1,300 
			 42 per cent. -1,560 -1,600 -1,610 -1,620 -1,630 
		
	
	Estimates of the additional number of claimants who would have their awards tapered to zero if these measures were implemented immediately are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Additional number of claimants with awards tapered to zero 
			  Thousand 
			 40 per cent. 1,520 
			 41 per cent. 1,590 
			 42 per cent. 1,640

Welfare Tax Credits

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the effect on the Exchequer of reducing the income disregard for tax credits from £25,000 to  (a) £2,500 and (b) £0 in each of the next five years.

Stephen Timms: This information requested is available only at disproportionate cost due to the complexity of the computations and assumptions involved. Reducing the income disregard would result in significant additional overpayments being generated. The extent to which these impact on the Exchequer will depend on the timing of these overpayments and whether or not they are ultimately recovered. There may also be a behavioural effect as incentives to report income changes could also be affected.
	The hon. Member may find it informative to refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois), on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1043-1044W, regarding the estimated cost of increasing the income disregard from £2,500 to £25,000.

Low Birthweight Babies

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of babies born in each primary care trust area were of low birth weight in the period since 1997.

Angela Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions asking:
	What proportion of babies born in each primary care trust area of England were of low birth weight in the period since 1997. (293188)
	What percentage of babies born alive had a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg in (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each primary care trust area in each of the last three years. (293187)
	The table attached provides the percentage of live births that were of low birth weight (less than 2.5kg) in: (a) England, (b) each strategic health authority and (c) each primary care organisation area for 1997 to 2008 (the latest year available).
	A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	Figures for 15 primary care organisations have been suppressed because of small numbers, in order to protect the privacy of individual mothers and babies.

CABINET OFFICE

Charities

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2009,  Official Report, columns 690-92W, on charities: insolvency, 
	(1)  how many registered charities have declared themselves insolvent in each month since March 2009; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 6 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 251-53W, on charities, how many charities there were on the Charity Commission register in each month since March 2009; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I have asked the Commission to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew Hind, dated October 2009:
	As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on how many registered charities declared themselves insolvent in each month since March 2009; and how many charities have been on the Charity Commission register in each month since March 2009.
	With regard to how many registered charities declared themselves insolvent in each month since March 2009, the Charity Commission does not currently record this information centrally. However, I have set out the number of charities who were removed from the register, in each month, since March 2009 with the reasons recorded for their removal.
	The table below refers to those charities which are required to register with the Commission by law. Smaller charities are not required to register with us; the threshold for registration was an annual income of £1,000 until April 2007 when this threshold was increased to £5,000.
	
		
			  Number 
			   2009  
			  Reason for removal  March  April  May  June  July  August  September  Total 
			 Ceased to exist or operate due to merger, incorporation or transfer of funds 103 188 90 124 214 74 141 934 
			 Ceased to exist or operate for other reasons 328 290 195 247 559 2,553 6,277 10,449 
			 Voluntary removal of charities below the minimum registration threshold 300 1,379 739 216 108 69 52 2,863 
			 Duplicate registrations and other corrections 6 17 2 3 3 4 0 35 
			 Total 737 1,874 1,026 590 884 2,700 6,470 14,281 
		
	
	Charities removed from the Register due to insolvency are likely to have fallen under the category Ceased to exist or operate for other reasons. However, it is unlikely that insolvency accounts for more than a small minority.
	The increase in numbers of charities removed from August 2009 is a result of our work to improve the accuracy of the Register of Charities. A key aspect of our strategy is the prompt removal of charities that are inactive and with which we can no longer establish contact. The marked peak of removals of charities that have ceased to exist or operate in September 2009 is a direct consequence of this strategy.
	With regard to how many charities have been on the Charity Commission register in each month since March 2009, please see the table below.
	
		
			  Number 
			   2009 
			   31 March  April  May  June  July  August  September 
			 Main charities 166,132 164,847 164,368 164,388 164,144 162,417 157,415 
			 Linked charities 22,769 22,662 22,657 22,639 22,486 22,083 21,305 
			 Total 188,901 187,509 187,025 187,027 186,630 184,500 178,720 
		
	
	Main charities are those required to prepare accounts and send an Annual Return or Annual Update to the Commission. Linked charities, such as subsidiary, group or constituent charities are each linked to a main charity for administrative purposes and do not report their financial results in their own right.
	It is a rather complex picture because of the unusually high number of charities removed from the Register in recent months. I would be happy to give you a more detailed background briefing if that would be helpful.

Charities: Government Assistance

John Battle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what support her Department has made available to charities in the Leeds area during the recession; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: As part of the Government support for the third sector during the recession, over £1.7 million has been provided to organisations in and around the Leeds area:
	The Hardship Fund made three awards to organisations in Leeds totalling £228,498.
	The Targeted Support Fund made 55 grants, which totalled £1.38 million in Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield and Bradford.
	Nine organisations in the Leeds local authority area were successfully awarded Modernisation Fund bursaries (worth £9,000 in total). One organisation has received a Modernisation Fund loan in Leeds for £100,000.
	As part of Government's response to recession, the Department for Work and Pensions is working with Voluntary Action Leeds to provide volunteer brokerage to individuals that have been unemployed for longer than six months.
	A regional roadshow was held in the Yorkshire and Humber region on 21 April 2009 to promote the Government's recession support measures.
	I am pleased that many third sector organisations in the Leeds area have been successful in accessing the Government's recession measures. This support is in addition to the £515 million that Government are already providing to support the third sector across England through its core programmes.

Internet: Advertising

Annette Brooke: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the  (a) Central Sponsor for Information Assurance and  (b) Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure was informed that trials of 121 Media/Phorm systems had taken place.

Angela Smith: The Information Security and Assurance (ISA) team (formerly the Central Sponsor for Information Assurance) within the Cabinet Office has the lead strategic role in setting and co-ordinating data handling policy for government and for delivering the National Information Assurance Strategy. ISA does not determine which particular systems, software or ICT products are used within the UK and as such ISA would not be informed officially of any trials carried out by 121 Media/Phorm systems.
	The Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure reports to the Home Office and is accountable to the director general of the Security Service.

Lord Ashcroft

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on which dates her Department passed material to the Information Commissioner in connection with the Freedom of Information request lodged by the hon. Member for Pendle pertaining to Lord Ashcroft.

Tessa Jowell: I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave him on 14 July 2009,  Official Report, columns 340-41W and 15 July 2009,  Official Report, column 462W.

Performing Arts

Nick Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance her Department has issued to  (a) executive agencies and  (b) non-departmental public bodies on the hiring from public funds of celebrities for (i) endorsement and (ii) other marketing purposes.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 12 October 2009
	The Cabinet Office has not issued guidance to  (a) executive agencies and  (b) non-departmental public bodies on the hiring of celebrities using public funds for (i) endorsement and (ii) other marketing purposes.
	Government Departments, their agencies and NDPBs decide their own communication priorities and will seek to make use of the most effective and cost efficient techniques to achieve their communications objectives. The use of personalities is one such approach which can help engage people extremely effectively.
	All Government communications activities are subject to strict propriety guidance, which, along with relevant codes of conduct and guidance, define how public servants can properly, efficiently and effectively present government policies and programmes.

Teenage Pregnancy

Tim Loughton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many maternities of mothers aged under 20 years there were in each constituency in England in each year since 1997.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many maternities of mothers aged under 20 years there were in each constituency in England in each year since 1997. (294606)
	The table provides the number of maternities among women under the age of 20 years for each parliamentary constituency in England, for 1997 to 2007 (the most recent year for which figures are available). A copy of the table has been placed in the House of Commons Library.

Telephone Services

Mark Williams: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the Government's policy is on call charges by Government Departments for hon. Members for use of a telephone hotline on behalf of their constituents; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: There are currently no plans to consider special charging arrangements for Members of Parliament calling government service providers on behalf of constituents.

Unemployment: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 
	(1)  how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in  (a) Chelmsford local authority area and  (b) West Chelmsford constituency had been unemployed for over (i) six and (ii) 12 months in each of the last six months;
	(2)  how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in  (a) Chelmsford local authority area and  (b) West Chelmsford constituency were unemployed in (i) May 1997 and (ii) each of the last six months for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated October 2009:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in (a) Chelmsford local authority area and (b) West Chelmsford Parliamentary constituency have been unemployed for over (i) six and (ii) 12 months in each of the last six months; and how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in (a) Chelmsford local authority area and (b) West Chelmsford Parliamentary constituency were unemployed in (i) May 1997 and (ii) each of the last six months for which figures are available. (294057  294058)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions.
	However, estimates of unemployment for the requested age bands and geographies are not available. As an alternative, in Table I we have provided the number of persons, aged 16 to 24, claiming Jobseeker*s Allowance, in the requested geographies, for (a) over 6 months and (b) over 12 months in September 2009 and the previous 5 months. Table 2 contains the number of persons aged 16 to 24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in the requested geographies for (a) May 1997 and (b) September 2009 and the previous 5 months.
	National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant count are available on the NOMIS website at:
	http://www.nomisweb.co.uk.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of people aged 16 to 24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Chelmsford Local Authority and West Chelmsford Parliamentary constituency for over 6 months and 12 months. 
			   Chelmsford  West Chelmsford 
			  Date  over six months  over12 months  over  six  months  over12 months 
			 April 2009 115 5 85 5 
			 May 2009 130 10 100 5 
			 June 2009 155 10 115 5 
			 July 2009 145 10 105 10 
			 August 2009 170 10 120 10 
			 September 2009 150 10 110 10 
			 (1). Data have been rounded to nearest five. (2). People claiming for over 12 months are included in the counts of people claiming for over six months.  Source:  Jobcentreplus administrative system 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Number of people aged 16 to 24 claiming Jobseeker's Allowance in Chelmsford Local Authority and West Chelmsford Parliamentary constituency. 
			  Date  Chelmsford  West Chelmsford 
			 May 1997 565 385 
			 April 2009 850 585 
			 May 2009 850 595 
			 June 2009 800 560 
			 July 2009 845 590 
			 August 2009 900 630 
			 September 2009 870 610 
			  Note: Data have been rounded to nearest five.  Source:  Jobcentreplus administrative system

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Gangmasters: Telephone Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanism exists for his Department's Pay and Work Rights telephone helpline service to work in conjunction with the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Patrick McFadden: The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was closely involved in the design and set-up of the Pay and Work Rights helpline, and relevant cases are automatically referred through to them. The GLA is a member of the Fair Employment Enforcement Board and involved in several other joint-working bodies supporting the helpline and related campaign.

Gangmasters: Telephone Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to publicise his Department's Pay and Work Rights telephone helpline service to vulnerable workers, including those employed by gangmasters.

Patrick McFadden: On 22 September 2009 BIS launched a £2.5 million awareness raising campaign aimed at promoting the Pay and Work Rights Helpline to vulnerable workers and employers. This includes communications in national press, radio, leaflets, online, and face-to-face activity. Areas covered by the GLA have been included in this messaging and a specific element aimed at gangmasters and their workers is planned.

Higher Education: Admissions

John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many school students from Leeds West constituency entered higher education in the academic year 2008-09.

David Lammy: It is not possible to identify whether entrants to higher education from Leeds West constituency attended schools or further education colleges. The number of 18 and 19-year-old undergraduate entrants from Leeds West constituency is given as an alternative.
	The latest information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that in the 2007-08 academic year there were 180 undergraduate entrants to higher education, aged 18 or 19, from Leeds West constituency.
	Undergraduate entrants from Leeds West constituency are defined by full and valid home post codes recorded for the student in the HESA student record. Some of these students, although resident in Leeds West, may not have attended schools in Leeds West constituency.
	Figures for the 2008-09 academic year will be available from HESA in January 2010.

Higher Education: Greater London

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what percentage of school leavers from each London borough went on to begin a university course in each of the last five academic years; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The Department does not collect data on the number of school leavers, who are resident in a particular area, who do not go on to higher education. Therefore, it is not possible to calculate the percentage of school leavers from London boroughs who do go on to higher education.
	It is not possible to identify whether entrants to higher education from London boroughs attended schools or further education colleges.
	The numbers of 18-year-old undergraduate entrants to higher education from London local authorities, in each of the last five academic years, are shown as an alternative in the table.
	Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
	
		
			  18-year-old undergraduate entrants( 1) , from London local authorities( 2, ) UK higher education institutions( 3) , academic years 2003/04 to 2007/08 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07  2007/08 
			 City of London 10 10 5 15 10 
			 Camden 350 350 445 420 405 
			 Greenwich 435 475 455 550 570 
			 Hackney 335 385 465 460 460 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 265 285 315 310 320 
			 Islington 295 295 385 370 390 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 255 295 330 295 345 
			 Lambeth 480 455 570 575 590 
			 Lewisham 515 535 625 645 690 
			 Southwark 520 450 575 550 595 
			 Tower Hamlets 465 510 540 545 555 
			 Wandsworth 435 445 515 455 555 
			 Westminster 325 330 385 415 385 
			 Barking and Dagenham 255 305 350 345 395 
			 Barnet 1,075 1,220 1,345 1,405 1,345 
			 Bexley 595 620 665 690 740 
			 Brent 950 1,020 1,120 1,095 1,080 
			 Bromley 935 1,040 1,095 1,170 1,135 
			 Croydon 1,055 1,100 1,200 1,225 1,300 
			 Ealing 955 1,005 1,170 1,175 1,105 
			 Enfield 930 1,010 1,135 1,140 1,100 
			 Haringey 475 510 600 600 610 
			 Harrow 1,100 1,180 1,185 1,245 1,245 
			 Havering 550 600 650 685 690 
			 Hillingdon 770 785 840 925 860 
			 Hounslow 690 665 745 775 760 
			 Kingston upon Thames 455 560 635 575 585 
			 Merton 470 505 570 560 600 
			 Newham 755 800 870 1,000 1,020 
			 Redbridge 1,060 1,070 1,220 1,335 1,285 
			 Richmond upon Thames 525 540 685 645 630 
			 Sutton 560 615 620 670 625 
			 Waltham Forest 615 615 650 735 765 
			 (1 )Covers entrants to full-time and part-time courses. (2 )The table does not include entrants where the local authority area of the student cannot be established due to missing or invalid information. (3 )Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time series.  Note: Figures are on a standard registration population (SRP) basis and are rounded to the nearest five.  Source:  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Higher Education: Radicalism

Iris Robinson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to minimise the influence of extremist Islamic activists in universities.

David Lammy: There is some evidence of extremist or radical groups or individuals operating on a handful of campuses. Where the problem occurs it is very serious but it is not widespread. As part of HMG's Prevent strategy, there are a range of activities taking place within universities to help them manage the risk of violent extremism or radicalisation taking place within their institutions.
	1. In January 2008, the former Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills issued guidance to all universities in England setting out practical advice and guidance on how to increase cohesion on campus and manage the risk of violent extremism.
	2. This guidance is now being followed up with targeted support from BIS officials and police colleagues to some universities which fall within Prevent funded local authority areas.
	3. BIS are also funding a full time inter-faith and Prevent officer at the NUS to work specifically to raise awareness and undertake training of NUS staff and officers.
	4. Funding is being given to the Association of Muslim Chaplains in Higher Education through the CLG Community Leadership Fund to help them increase their capacity to support Muslim Chaplains working in HE and enable to them to deliver more effective pastoral support for Muslim students.

Higher Education: Student Numbers

Jim Cousins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many  (a) UK and  (b) overseas students there were at each university in (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2007-08 and (iii) 2008-09.

David Lammy: The numbers of UK and overseas students enrolled at UK higher education institutions in 2004-05 and 2007-08 are given in Table 1 and Table 2. Enrolment numbers for 2004-05 and 2007-08 may not be directly comparable due to institutions changing their names and/or merging.
	Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be available in January 2010.
	
		
			  Table 1: Student enrolments( 1)  by institution and region of domicile-UK higher education institutions, academic year 2004-05 
			   Region of student domicile 
			  Institution  UK  EU  Other  o verseas 
			 Open University 173,010 5 5 
			 Cranfield University 2,825 940 800 
			 Royal College of Art 535 200 130 
			 Royal College of Nursing 850 5 25 
			 Bishop Grosseteste College 1,485 0 0 
			 Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College 8,130 255 895 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 770 65 65 
			 University of Chester 12,040 210 250 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 14,015 250 355 
			 York St John College 5,515 25 180 
			 College of St Mark and St John 4,400 45 180 
			 Darlington College of Arts 510 45 20 
			 Edge Hill College of HE 14,470 90 50 
			 University College Falmouth 1,805 55 100 
			 Harper Adams University College 1,650 60 35 
			 Homerton College 2,740 5 20 
			 Kent Institute of Art and Design 1,740 220 265 
			 University of Winchester 4,650 35 95 
			 Liverpool Hope University 6,485 280 485 
			 University of the Arts, London 8,475 1,475 2,775 
			 University of Luton 8,240 1,130 2,400 
			 University College Northampton 9,640 150 540 
			 Newman College of Higher Education 2,305 75 10 
			 Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication 950 55 90 
			 Roehampton University 7,170 320 435 
			 Rose Bruford College 745 55 65 
			 Royal Academy of Music 410 110 205 
			 Royal College of Music 335 135 130 
			 Royal Northern College of Music 420 45 90 
			 Southampton Solent University 10,070 390 790 
			 St Martin's College 12,055 205 90 
			 St Mary's College 3,200 290 10 
			 Trinity and All Saints College 2,440 30 35 
			 Trinity College of Music 535 165 90 
			 Surrey Institute of Art and Design, University College 2,445 135 175 
			 University College Worcester 7,290 130 120 
			 Anglia Polytechnic University 24,055 1,155 1,085 
			 Bath Spa University 6,010 100 160 
			 University of Bolton 6,685 150 600 
			 Bournemouth University 13,605 465 1,125 
			 University of Brighton 17,345 1,405 1,250 
			 University of Central England in Birmingham 21,240 440 1,220 
			 University of Central Lancashire 24,440 605 1,675 
			 University of Gloucestershire 8,100 125 350 
			 Coventry University 16,465 1,050 1,875 
			 University of Derby 12,920 505 495 
			 University of East London 13,205 950 2,180 
			 University of Greenwich 18,130 970 3,170 
			 University of Hertfordshire 19,110 530 3,325 
			 University of Huddersfield 16,635 445 795 
			 University of Lincoln 11,960 580 445 
			 Kingston University 17,695 1,110 1,675 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 24,675 730 2,630 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 20,145 855 1,770 
			 Manchester Metropolitan University 29,525 785 1,385 
			 Middlesex University 18,865 1,205 4,785 
			 De Montfort University 21,225 400 1,040 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 21,955 730 2,770 
			 Nottingham Trent University 24,770 555 1,065 
			 Oxford Brookes University 15,095 905 2,200 
			 University of Plymouth 27,095 695 1,130 
			 University of Portsmouth 17,015 1,310 2,440 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 25,365 495 2,065 
			 London South Bank University 17,750 980 2,320 
			 Staffordshire University 12,910 825 1,255 
			 University of Sunderland 15,280 735 2,560 
			 University of Teesside 19,220 590 615 
			 Thames Valley University 17,385 1,000 1,625 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 25,200 800 1,215 
			 University College Chichester 4,895 145 125 
			 University of Westminster 20,790 1,840 3,670 
			 Wimbledon School of Art 555 45 50 
			 University of Wolverhampton 19,875 825 2,325 
			 University of Wales, Newport 8,635 165 255 
			 North-East Wales Institute of Higher Education 5,235 830 75 
			 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 8,150 255 550 
			 University of Glamorgan 18,865 1,005 1,460 
			 Swansea Institute of Higher Education 5,230 205 125 
			 Trinity College, Carmarthen 2,155 50 10 
			 University of Abertay Dundee 3,420 280 445 
			 Edinburgh College of Art 1,295 185 210 
			 Glasgow School of Art 1,330 120 140 
			 Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh 4,330 245 525 
			 Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 580 40 55 
			 Robert Gordon University 10,055 675 1,340 
			 University of Paisley 12,050 260 345 
			 Glasgow Caledonian University 14,885 315 660 
			 Napier University 11,000 1,465 975 
			 Aston University 6,270 360 1,350 
			 University of Bath 10,835 830 1,800 
			 University of Birmingham 23,615 1,020 3,865 
			 University of Bradford 8,565 460 2,080 
			 University of Bristol 18,195 805 1,965 
			 Brunel University 11,725 890 1,655 
			 University of Cambridge 19,280 1,505 3,410 
			 City University 16,990 1,270 2,730 
			 University of Durham 13,955 570 1,925 
			 University of East Anglia 12,180 505 1,200 
			 University of Essex 7,370 940 2,055 
			 University of Exeter 11,920 515 1,285 
			 University of Hull 17,910 665 2,235 
			 University of Keele 10,425 290 980 
			 University of Kent 13,505 1,015 1,550 
			 University of Lancaster 14,540 755 1,585 
			 University of Leeds 30,180 1,065 4,215 
			 University of Leicester 13,025 620 2,300 
			 University of Liverpool 17,855 620 1,865 
			 Birkbeck College 13,965 290 485 
			 Goldsmiths College 5,925 555 735 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 7,900 1,400 2,810 
			 Institute of Education 5,635 345 795 
			 King's College London 17,410 1,450 2,315 
			 London Business School 580 265 770 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 3,235 1,440 3,740 
			 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 405 125 440 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 8,135 545 2,080 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 5,515 650 1,290 
			 Royal Veterinary College 1,175 80 140 
			 St George's Hospital Medical School 3,195 80 140 
			 School of Oriental and African Studies 2,180 545 1,145 
			 School of Pharmacy 1,010 45 170 
			 University College London 13,940 1,830 3,805 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 270 55 75 
			 Loughborough University 13,120 565 2,580 
			 University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 14,485 810 2,490 
			 University of Nottingham 25,740 870 4,245 
			 University of Oxford 17,225 1,625 3,770 
			 University of Reading 11,935 660 1,410 
			 University of Salford 16,960 580 1,550 
			 University of Sheffield 20,985 800 3,390 
			 University of Southampton 18,970 845 1,995 
			 University of Surrey 10,995 1,360 2,510 
			 University of Sussex 9,945 890 980 
			 University of Warwick 21,660 1,870 5,265 
			 University of York 10,065 635 1,530 
			 University of Edinburgh 18,370 1,535 2,355 
			 University of Glasgow 22,080 700 1,650 
			 University of Strathclyde 20,300 560 1,385 
			 University of Aberdeen 11,465 685 1,295 
			 Heriot-Watt University 6,195 745 1,255 
			 University of Dundee 14,910 555 2,040 
			 University of St Andrews 5,475 765 1,905 
			 University of Stirling 7,485 305 585 
			 Scottish Agricultural College 750 30 10 
			 University of Wales, Lampeter 7,335 675 475 
			 University of Wales, Aberystwyth 9,050 505 690 
			 University of Wales, Bangor 8,680 385 435 
			 Cardiff University 24,115 975 2,780 
			 University of Wales, Swansea 12,405 300 990 
			 Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama 565 20 30 
			 Queen's University of Belfast 21,940 1,350 880 
			 University of Ulster 22,935 2,755 535 
			 University of Wales, Registry 0 0 0 
			 Institute of Cancer Research 75 25 30 
			 Writtle College 1,025 50 95 
			 Norwich School of Art and Design 765 25 30 
			 Northern School of Contemporary Dance 0 0 0 
			 Cumbria Institute of the Arts 925 105 15 
			 Stranmillis University College 1,390 40 0 
			 St. Mary's University College 1,045 65 0 
			 Royal Agricultural College 625 20 45 
			 UHI Millennium Institute 6,130 115 60 
			 Arts Institute at Bournemouth 1,340 65 90 
			 Bell College 3,830 5 10 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 750 155 85 
			 Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies 2,645 170 655 
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 255 45 85 
			 London Metropolitan University 22,075 1,935 4,760 
			 University of Buckingham 165 45 475 
			 University of Manchester 32,425 1,580 5,060 
			 Total 1,939,150 93,995 203,125 
			 (1) Covers full-time and part-time enrolments to postgraduate and undergraduate courses.  Notes: 1. Figures are on a HESA Standard Registration Population (SRP) basis. 2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five and components may not sum to totals.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Student enrolments( 1)  by institution and region of domicile-UK higher education institutions, academic year 2007-08 
			   Region of student domicile 
			  Institution  UK  EU  Other  o verseas 
			 The Open University 181,365 210 120 
			 Cranfield University 2,360 1,150 1,075 
			 Royal College of Art 575 230 145 
			 Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln 1,895 0 25 
			 Buckinghamshire New University 8,075 475 715 
			 Central School of Speech and Drama 770 40 70 
			 University of Chester 13,135 195 185 
			 Canterbury Christ Church University 14,455 635 460 
			 York St John University 6,050 70 85 
			 University College Plymouth St Mark and St John 3,525 40 185 
			 Dartington College of Arts 585 30 10 
			 Edge Hill University 19,960 85 95 
			 University College Falmouth 2,205 45 70 
			 Harper Adams University College 4,000 75 145 
			 University of Winchester 5,015 85 140 
			 Liverpool Hope University 6,525 235 300 
			 University of the Arts, London 10,195 1,660 3,505 
			 University of Bedfordshire 10,855 1,660 1,680 
			 University of Northampton 10,550 190 845 
			 Newman University College 2,620 60 5 
			 Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication 895 40 75 
			 Roehampton University 7,460 315 455 
			 Rose Bruford College 840 60 60 
			 Royal Academy of Music 410 125 195 
			 Royal College of Music 350 135 135 
			 Royal Northern College of Music 525 50 115 
			 Southampton Solent University 9,280 605 965 
			 University of Cumbria 11,690 260 95 
			 St Mary's University College, Twickenham 3,800 315 30 
			 Leeds Trinity and All Saints 2,885 40 80 
			 Trinity Laban 670 125 85 
			 University of Worcester 7,350 200 215 
			 Anglia Ruskin University 17,150 1,090 765 
			 Bath Spa University 7,290 70 105 
			 University of Bolton 7,070 190 585 
			 Bournemouth University 15,845 680 1,350 
			 University of Brighton 18,630 1,400 1,190 
			 Birmingham City University 21,365 385 1,495 
			 University of Central Lancashire 25,385 1,030 4,830 
			 University of Gloucestershire 8,010 205 300 
			 Coventry University 16,680 1,245 2,450 
			 University of Derby 14,735 740 675 
			 University of East London 16,055 875 2,500 
			 University of Greenwich 19,625 1,010 3,875 
			 University of Hertfordshire 19,170 570 3,095 
			 University of Huddersfield 18,955 680 800 
			 University of Lincoln 10,720 605 315 
			 Kingston University 20,060 1,525 2,405 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 25,175 795 1,245 
			 Liverpool John Moores University 21,780 795 1,875 
			 The Manchester Metropolitan University 30,060 1,125 1,780 
			 Middlesex University 16,880 1,380 3,360 
			 De Montfort University 18,875 395 1,120 
			 University of Northumbria at Newcastle 24,690 80CL 4,505 
			 The Nottingham Trent University 21,175 500 1,830 
			 Oxford Brookes University 15,065 975 1,995 
			 University of Plymouth 27,465 840 1,070 
			 University of Portsmouth 16,845 890 1,825 
			 Sheffield Hallam University 27,355 705 3,030 
			 London South Bank University 19,235 1,165 1,940 
			 Staffordshire University 14,135 420 1,180 
			 University of Sunderland 14,530 705 2,470 
			 University of Teesside 23,995 595 815 
			 Thames Valley University 15,160 1,185 1,795 
			 University of the West of England, Bristol 29,130 980 1,585 
			 University of Chichester 4,660 75 65 
			 University of Westminster 17,780 2,030 3,420 
			 University of Wolverhampton 18,260 1,180 1,865 
			 University of Wales, Newport 8,620 130 370 
			 Glyndwr University 5,135 1,635 495 
			 University of Wales Institute, Cardiff 8,060 230 1,615 
			 University of Glamorgan 18,935 1,740 2,040 
			 Swansea Metropolitan University 5,185 200 210 
			 Trinity College, Carmarthen 2,145 55 25 
			 University of Abertay Dundee 3,105 625 405 
			 Edinburgh College of Art 1,200 195 200 
			 Glasgow School of Art 1,325 155 270 
			 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh 4,560 320 450 
			 The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 605 45 125 
			 The Robert Gordon University 9,835 815 1,615 
			 University of the West of Scotland 17,080 490 565 
			 Glasgow Caledonian University 15,215 330 1,225 
			 Napier University 9,930 1,625 1,435 
			 Aston University 7,065 495 2,010 
			 University of Bath 9,650 1,090 2,225 
			 University of Birmingham 23,110 1,185 3,945 
			 University of Bradford 9,210 960 2,205 
			 University of Bristol 14,635 890 2,285 
			 Brunel University 11,310 765 2,195 
			 University of Cambridge 17,520 1,790 3,435 
			 The City University 16,100 1,805 3,505 
			 University of Durham 13,320 625 2,330 
			 University of East Anglia 13,445 580 1,670 
			 University of Essex 8,360 1,075 2,075 
			 University of Exeter 12,455 610 1,640 
			 University of Hull 18,420 705 1,880 
			 University of Keele 10,215 315 885 
			 University of Kent 14,985 1,170 1,650 
			 University of Lancaster 11,080 885 1,755 
			 University of Leeds 27,020 1,185 4,045 
			 University of Leicester 12,485 720 2,150 
			 University of Liverpool 16,885 665 1,830 
			 Birkbeck College 16,025 595 605 
			 Goldsmiths College 6,055 700 740 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine 8,480 1,800 3,560 
			 Institute of Education 6,230 395 760 
			 Kings College London 16,955 1,675 2,480 
			 London Business School 500 245 810 
			 London School of Economics and Political Science 2,935 1,675 4,495 
			 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine 545 110 440 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College 10,450 840 2,320 
			 Royal Holloway and Bedford New College 5,895 805 1,680 
			 The Royal Veterinary College 1,615 65 115 
			 St Georges Hospital Medical School 3,805 110 245 
			 The School of Oriental and African Studies 2,655 710 1,365 
			 The School of Pharmacy 1,005 45 180 
			 University College London 14,150 2,335 4,510 
			 University of London (Institutes and activities) 180 40 70 
			 Loughborough University 12,765 665 3,215 
			 University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne 15,590 930 2,535 
			 University of Nottingham 24,340 1,655 5,830 
			 University of Oxford 17,560 1,975 4,445 
			 University of Reading 11,905 825 1,745 
			 University of Salford 16,475 910 1,800 
			 University of Sheffield 19,775 1,035 3,750 
			 University of Southampton 19,645 1,165 2,955 
			 University of Surrey 11,195 1,625 2,250 
			 University of Sussex 10,465 890 1,100 
			 University of Warwick 21,640 2,010 4,795 
			 University of York 10,460 685 2,040 
			 University of Edinburgh 18,785 1,755 3,015 
			 University of Glasgow 21,020 1,025 1,690 
			 University of Strathclyde 19,235 565 1,940 
			 University of Aberdeen 11,185 1,210 1,745 
			 Heriot-Watt University 7,015 1,140 1,905 
			 University of Dundee 14,120 735 1,865 
			 University of St Andrews 5,575 800 1,795 
			 University of Stirling 8,225 450 1,130 
			 Scottish Agricultural College 850 45 25 
			 University of Wales, Lampeter 6,660 555 670 
			 Aberystwyth University 8,560 745 560 
			 Bangor University 9,030 445 1,040 
			 Cardiff University 22,445 945 3,20C 
			 Swansea University 12,160 345 1,36E 
			 The Queens University of Belfast 20,190 1,135 90C 
			 University of Ulster 20,720 2,510 41C 
			 The Institute of Cancer Research 225 35 4C 
			 Writtle College 880 30 7£ 
			 Norwich University College of the Arts 1,200 15 E 
			 Stranmillis University College 1,260 35 0 
			 St Mary's University College 1,000 40 0 
			 Royal Agricultural College 740 30 115 
			 UHI Millennium Institute 7,420 75 90 
			 The Arts Institute at Bournemouth 1,810 80 110 
			 Conservatoire for Dance and Drama 850 185 105 
			 University College Birmingham 3,000 255 665 
			 Courtauld Institute of Art 295 55 90 
			 London Metropolitan University 21,600 2,370 4,005 
			 University of Buckingham 370 65 550 
			 University of Manchester 28,985 1,910 6,465 
			 Heythrop College 675 30 40 
			 University for the Creative Arts 4,725 385 320 
			 Leeds College of Music 670 15 20 
			 Guildhall School of Music and Drama 505 190 100 
			 The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 735 25 125 
			 University Campus Suffolk 4,235 20 25 
			 Total 1,964,315 112,150 229,640 
			 (1) Covers full-time and part-time enrolments to postgraduate and undergraduate courses.  Notes: 1. Figures are on a HESA Standard Registration Population (SRP) basis. 2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest five and components may not sum to totals.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Lord Truscott

Greg Clark: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting held between officials in his Department and Lord Truscott since the latter ceased to be a Government Minister.

Patrick McFadden: During the passage of the Energy Bill, officials from the Energy Bill Management Team in BERR met with a range of Peers and other interested stakeholders to answer questions and clarify the policy in the Bill. This included one meeting on 22 July with Lord Truscott. There are no minutes but I have placed information concerning the meeting in the Library, including correspondence between Lord Truscott's researcher and officials from the Department seeking clarification on some of the discussion points at the meeting.

Low Carbon Industrial Strategy

Dai Davies: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for what reasons copies of the Low Carbon Industrial Strategy were not placed in the Vote Office after publication on 15 July 2009.

Patrick McFadden: Around 30 copies of the Department's report The UK Low Carbon Industrial Strategy were placed in the Vote Office on the morning of its publication. Unfortunately, demand for the report exceeded the number of copies available and there was a delay in obtaining additional copies for the Vote Office. I am sorry that some hon. Members were inconvenienced by being unable to get a copy from the Vote Office. The report was placed in the Library on the morning of its publication, however, and it was also available on the Department's internet site, as indicated in the written ministerial statement.

National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts: Finance

Tom Watson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the  (a) income and  (b) expenditure of the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts was in each of the last three financial years.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 October 2009
	 The income and expenditure for the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) in the last three financial years was as follows:
	
		
			  £000 
			   Income  Expenditure 
			 2006/07 21,987 20,531 
			 2007/08 35,574 31,571 
			 2008/09 29,969 25,496 
		
	
	This information can be found in NESTA's annual report and accounts for each year, which are available in the Library.

National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts: Party Conferences

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts sought approval from his Department to attend the party political conferences in 2009.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 October 2009
	In accordance with Cabinet Office Guidance, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) sought and obtained permission from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, its sponsor department.

National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts: Party Conferences

Don Foster: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what costs were incurred by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts in attending the  (a) Liberal Democrat,  (b) Labour,  (c) Conservative and  (d) Scottish National Party conference in 2009.

David Lammy: holding answer 14 October 2009
	NESTA incurred the following expenditure from attending party conferences in 2009:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Liberal Democrats 3,598 
			 Labour 13,436 
			 Conservative 13,400 
			 SNP 8,294

Post Offices

Charles Kennedy: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Post Office Ltd on the future of the Network Change programme; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: I am in regular contact with Post Office Ltd on a range of issues relating to the network.
	The Network Change programme is now completed with the exception of three branches which will be replaced by Outreach services during the autumn. 93.3 per cent. of the total UK population remain within one mile of their nearest post office outlet.
	Post Office Ltd is on course to achieve the expected cost-savings as a result of the programme, as part of an overall plan to reduce its costs by £270 million per annum, by 2010-11.
	The level of customer business migrating from post offices which have closed under the programme to the remaining branches in the network is above target at 88 per cent.

Public Bodies: Finance

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what the return profit from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts' portfolio of investments was in each year since 1998.

David Lammy: holding answer 12 October 2009
	The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) received the following returns from investing its endowment:
	
		
			  £ million 
			 1998-99 8.37 
			 1999-2000 11.80 
			 2000-01 12.85 
			 2001-02 9.66 
			 2002-03 9.39 
			 2003-04 9.76 
			 2004-05 13.40 
			 2005-06 13.75 
			 2006-07 9.26 
			 2007-08 22.46 
			 2008-09 14.27 
		
	
	These figures are exclusive of bank interest received and are lower than the figures quoted in NESTA's annual reports and accounts for each year, which are available in the House of Commons Library.

Royal Mail: Industrial Disputes

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make an assessment of the merits of the proposal by the Communication Workers Union that the dispute with the Royal Mail be resolved with third party mediation; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 16 October 2009
	I have been in close contact with the unions and management and have made it clear that strikes are not the way to resolve differences or safeguard the future of our postal service.
	It is of course for the disputing parties to consider and agree to third party mediation.

Students: Nationality

Iris Robinson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students on university courses were  (a) UK nationals,  (b) Republic of Ireland nationals and  (c) foreign nationals other than from the Republic of Ireland in the 2008-09 academic year.

David Lammy: Figures on total enrolments in UK higher education institutions (HEIs) for 2008/09 will not be available until January 2010. The information in the table below relates to the latest available year, 2007/08.
	
		
			  Total enrolments in higher education courses at UK HEIs by domicile( 1) , 2007/08 
			  Domicile  Number 
			 UK 1,964,315 
			 Republic of Ireland 15,260 
			 Overseas excluding Ireland 326,530 
			 Total 2,306,105 
			 (1) 'Domicile' refers to a student's home domicile prior to enrolling on their course.  Note: Figures are rounded to nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Reduction Commitment

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the projected emissions savings of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020 under the Carbon Reduction Commitment in the achievement of the target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per cent. on 1990 levels by 2020.

Joan Ruddock: Initial modelling indicated that at least 0.9MtC (3.2MtCO2e) pa. of cost-effective savings are available through the CRC alone, while synergies with other measures such as the Energy Performance Buildings Directive and decarbonisation of the electricity supply within this sector can contribute to additional savings up to 1.2MtC (4.4MtCO2e). However the final savings from the CRC will be determined by the emissions cap. DECC and the Committee on Climate Change are undertaking further analysis to determine the appropriate level of the cap, taking into account our carbon budget targets.
	We intend to announce the potential savings available in 2011 and the actual cap in 2012.

Carbon Reduction Commitment: Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the base year is for carbon dioxide emissions for local authorities under the Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme.

Joan Ruddock: All participants' position in the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme league table will primarily be determined by their average annual emissions over the preceding five years of the scheme, or since the start of the scheme, whichever is the shorter period.

Climate Change

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on how many occasions Ministers from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland's devolved Administrations have been included in the UK delegation to UN framework convention on climate change conferences since 1999.

Joan Ruddock: Ministers from the devolved Administrations have never been included on the UK delegation to the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC.
	The Scottish Executive has been represented by either one or two officials on the UK delegation every year since 1999, but where Ministers from the devolved Administrations have attended, this has always been on other delegations. For example, in 2007 a Scottish Minister participated as a member of the Climate Group delegation.

Committee on Climate Change

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change for what reasons the Committee on Climate Change's first annual report to Parliament was not available in the Vote Office to hon. Members on its day of publication or the following day; and what steps he has taken to ensure that future such reports are available to hon. Members on publication.

Joan Ruddock: The delay in making the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) first annual report available in the Vote Office was the result of the CCC not being fully aware of the requirements. The annual report was laid in both Houses on 12 October as required, but the CCC did not make copies available to both Houses through the Vote and Printed Paper Offices. When alerted to the need to do this, the CCC did send copies to both Houses on 14 October.
	The CCC regrets this oversight and has advised the Department that they have put in place steps to avoid it being repeated.

Electricity

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to encourage the Distribution Network Operators to meet climate change targets.

Joan Ruddock: Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) will play an important role in a range of measures DECC is taking to meet climate change targets. DECC is working with Ofgem to review the regulatory framework governing networks and ensure DNOs support our targets, including through the current price control review. DECC is also working with Ofgem to encourage more innovation in the grid through the low carbon network fund and through direct engagement with DNOs on smart grids.

Energy: Conservation

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what targets his Department has for the reduction of end-user energy consumption.

Joan Ruddock: Across the whole economy reducing end-use energy consumption through increased efficiency is a crucial part of our strategy to meet emissions reduction targets.
	In the short-term we have targets to increase the energy efficiency of housing by at least 20 per cent. from a 2000 baseline and to cut annual residential carbon emissions by 3.5MtC (12.8MtCO2) by 2010 from a 1990 baseline. We are on track to meet both of these targets.
	In the longer term, the recently published UK Low Carbon Transition Plan sets out our ambitious plans for increasing efficiency and reducing emissions to meet our emissions targets under the framework of carbon budgets. We expect policies driving energy efficiency and the provision of low carbon energy, will reduce emissions from homes by 29 per cent. and from workplaces by 12 per cent. by 2022.

Energy: Conservation

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking to reduce end-user energy consumption.

Joan Ruddock: The Heat and Energy Saving Strategy (HESS) consultation published in February and consolidated by the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan published in July, set out the steps we are taking to reduce energy consumption and emissions in the UK. These include:
	building on existing commitment to make all new homes and non-domestic buildings zero carbon by 2016 and 2019 respectively
	our aim for smart meters to be rolled-out to all domestic customers by the end of 2020
	and new initiatives to incentivise low carbon energy generation; Feed in Tariffs for electricity and the Renewable Heat Incentive available from 2010 and 2011 respectively
	The Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) is the principal driver of energy efficiency improvements in existing homes in Great Britain. We have recently increased the target suppliers must deliver by an additional 20 per cent. to save 185 million tonnes of CO2. In addition we intend to extend this scheme for a further 21 months from the current end in April 2011 out to the end of 2012 delivering more benefits.
	We also recently launched the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) trialling the delivery of energy efficiency measures following a house-by-house, street-by-street approach, and focusing on low income communities.
	In the non-domestic sector, the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRCEES) is a new energy efficiency scheme that will be introduced in April 2010. It aims to reduce energy consumption in the business and public sector workplaces through both behaviour and infrastructure change. The CRC will build on the existing Climate Change Levy (CCL) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) which encourage businesses to use energy more efficiently and reducing their emissions.

Nuclear Generation Sites

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what analysis the Government has conducted of the effects of  (a) sea level rises and  (b) storm surges on present and planned civil nuclear generation sites over the next (i) 100, (ii) 200 and (iii) 300 years; and if he will make a statement.

David Kidney: holding answer 19 October 2009
	Ensuring the safety of existing nuclear power stations from sea level rise and flood risk (including storm surge) is carried out by the site operators, overseen by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII).
	The nuclear licensing regime enforced by the NII requires existing site operators to ensure their sites are safe against sea level rise and storm surge throughout the life of the nuclear power stations, including during decommissioning. As a condition of each nuclear site licence the operator must review the site safety case at regular intervals (typically on a 10 year basis), taking account of the most recent climate change projections and to make any necessary modifications to flood defences and operating arrangements.
	For new nuclear power stations the Government is running a Strategic Siting Assessment (SSA) to identify sites that are potentially suitable for deployment by 2025. The government response to the consultation on the SSA criteria and process
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file49865.pdf
	outlined that nominated sites would be assessed against their capacity to be protected against flood risk, tsunami and storm surge throughout its lifetime, including the potential effects of climate change, allowing for the safe and secure storage of all the spent fuel and intermediate level waste produced from operation and decommissioning until it can be sent for final disposal in a geological disposal facility (GDF). The nominations are available at:
	www.nuclearpowersiting.gov.uk
	The SSA will look at the capacity of nominated sites to withstand flood risk and storm surge to 2100 using climate change modelling data from UK Climate Projections 09 (UKCP09).
	Predictions of potential climate change impacts become less certain the further into the future the assessments are for, and it is not practicable to consider for existing or potential stations beyond 2100 at this stage. However, the SSA assessment will also consider the adaptability of the proposed flood protection mechanism to changes in the demand to give confidence that if the current predictions are revised, modifications to the defences are practicable, and as set out above all licensed stations are subject to periodic review which takes the most recent climate change projections into account.